My friend and collaborator Victoria McBride and I are collecting gently used instruments for the students of St Martin de Porres High School. St Martin’s is a pretty darned special school. It’s part of the Christo Rey network--schools that serve a very specific demographic in ways that seriously change lives. As Victoria <https://www.facebook.com/vsanyu> writes, “Saint Martin is a school that provides students of modest economic means with a college preparatory education aimed at helping young men and women develop the habits of mind and spirit that will enable them to be successful in college, in their careers, and in life. This year we are trying to breathe new life into our arts curriculum by adding an choir class! We have never had a school band but many students are interested in learning to play instruments so if we are able, we'd love to have our choir include a praise band.” SO: We are looking for instruments. What kinds of instruments would be GREAT? Conga drums, drum-circle style drums, hand drums, box drums, guitars (acoustic or with plug-in capabilities), flutes and other wind instruments, brass instruments like trumpets. What kind of instruments would NOT help? Ones that are broken/missing essential parts or instruments that are large and cumbersome (pianos, drum sets, cellos, etc.) ********How do I donate an instrument? Email Victoria McBride <https://www.facebook.com/vsanyu> vmcbride@stmdphs.org --she can make arrangements with you to get the instruments. ******** Can I just donate money instead? Sorry, no. We’re just collecting good, usable instruments. Is my donation tax deductible? Yes. Is this a formal outreach from the school, or just another one of those community-projects we put together because so many cool people are out there wanting to do something awesome? Oh, it’s one of those community-projects we put together because you’re all awesome and make things happen. Y’all rock. So spread the word. Find those old instruments that you’re not using. What's in the attic? Stashed backstage somewhere? In the storage space of your place of worship or the corner of a classroom? Reach out to Vicky and let’s get these awesome kids who cannot otherwise afford instruments the opportunity to make the halls come alive with the sound of music. (You knew I couldn’t finish this without *some* VonTrapp reference, right?) With sincerest gratitude, Paula Kampf