The Beat Goes On For The Highline Music4Life Musical Instrument Drive

First Annual Instrument Drive

On Saturday, September 17th, Highline Music4 Life sponsored an instrument drive at the Des Moines Farmers Market.  This was the first of what is intended to be an annual event to ask adults who have unused musical instruments in their garages or attics to donate them to the Highline Music4Life program.   The program was inspired by Des Moines Rotary and with the active support of the Burien-White Center and SeaTac Rotary clubs.  The overall goal is to provide gently used musical instruments to 5th & 6th grade students in the Highline School District. 

Rotarians, Claudia Dickinson, Steve Swank, Don Warren and David Endicott man the booth

It was a successful event, despite the cool weather and occasional rain, with several community members dropping off their donations.  Market shoppers also stopped by the booth and after learning about the program committed to donating instruments to the program.  Highline Music4Life has now collected over 78 instruments and $16,000 in cash donations. "We are seeing a very positive response from the community.", says Rotarian and organizing chair, Steve Swank, "In fact, we recently received a $1,000 donation from a community member in Des Moines during our Blues & Brews Fest".

If our readers are interested in organizing an instrument drive in their workplace, church or other organization, please contact Steve Swank or Dan Johnson of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.  Click here for a current list of musical instruments needs.   For more information, visit http://highlinemusic4life.org.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Meinecke.