Sandy Fuller, chairman of the outreach committee for the organization Bands of The Villages (BOTV), has a question for you: Do you have a gently used instrument in your closet that you are no longer using?
When BOTV started their outreach program over a year ago they expected to volunteer in the schools and help with instrument repairs and to provide financial aid for band trips. As they branched out to offer assistance to schools in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties they discovered the real need was for instruments. There are many children who do not join the band because of the cost of the instrument or have to drop out if parents can no longer afford the monthly payments to rent an instrument.
Instruments are the number one teacher request. BOTV wants to give positive, musical experiences to children that might otherwise not have it, feeling that music can become a lifelong learning and loving experience.
It was not possible financially for BOTV to supply all the instrument requests. Fuller and her committee decided to reach out to the community. BOTV members can repair instruments and put them in the hands of children that need them. If you do not have an instrument, but would like to support the cause, monetary donations are also accepted.
BOTV is looking for band instruments not stringed instruments, think marching band, flutes, clarinets, saxophones and trumpets. These donations are going to a charitable organization and therefore are tax deductible.
If you would like to get more information or donate an instrument, e-mail Fuller at sabailey51@aol.com. Please put instrument donation in the subject line.