and he's my son, so let me be proud for a minute, okay?
My 11 year old was sitting in his 6th grade orchestra class when his teacher's violin fell and broke. She was in tears. She was living on a new teacher's salary, and the violin that broke was given to her by her deceased father.
He came home, built a website, and started a fundraiser to help fix the violin. In just 4 days he raised enough money to fix it. In the process, of raising the money and interacting with the school, he learned there are kids who can't afford to participate in orchestra or band because they can't pay the instrument rental. He learned that there are even whole schools that can't afford music programs.
Follow over the amorous treble clefs to find out what he did.
He created a new charity, Kidstruments Fund, Inc. It's a legally formed, properly registered, 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation. He built the website himself.
He already has almost enough money to fund the first full-year scholarship for a band or orchestra instrument rental. He hopes to accept money, and perhaps even used instruments which can be refurbished and donated to schools. All contributions are tax deductible, too. He even set up a PayPal account, so feel free to contribute a ducat or two.
It's a tragedy that the tax-cutting vampires of the world don't see value in music, art, and language programs, but the kids do. And at least one kid is trying to make up for the blindness of short-sighted adults.
I'm just so darned proud. This is a kid who, at the age of 11, is not just empathetic, but proactive. He sees a problem for others, and tries to make a difference.
If there's anybody here who might have some advice, lay it on me. I'll pass it along. We've never done anything like this before and he wants to make it work.
Thanks for letting me be proud on Daily Kos.