What began as a simple request from G.C. Huston public school in Southampton has blossomed into a community-wide initiative.
Southampton Rotarians Dave Bertrand and Jim Wade, inspired by this call for help, uncovered a pressing need for musical instruments across Saugeen Shores schools.
Teaming up with Cam Porter, a renowned former music teacher and conductor of the Port Elgin Community Band, they discovered an existing small-scale program supporting schools with instruments. This revelation sparked a grander vision.
Now, Southampton Rotary is orchestrating a two-pronged approach:
• A community-wide second-hand instrument drive
• Dedicating proceeds from our upcoming October 26, 2024, Annual Dinner Auction’s “Fund A Need” to breathe new life into these donations and purchase additional instruments.
Our goal is to ensure no budding school musician in Saugeen Shores is left without the tools to explore their passion. Should we receive an abundance of generosity, we’ll spread the harmony by sharing surplus instruments with other worthy charities.
Join us in making music education accessible to all – because every child deserves the chance to find their rhythm!” You can help by searching your attic, basement, garage, or shed for previously loved or surplus musical instruments and take them to our drop off locations at:
- Three Sheets Brewing Tap, Port Elgin
- Martin’s Bicycle Shop, Southampton during normal opening hours.
“Music is a vital component of a well-rounded education,” says Rotarian Jim Wade, the event organizer. “We’re delighted that Brett Martin of Martin’s Bicycle Shop and Jeff Carver of Three Sheets Brewing share this vision and have stepped forward to support our new musical initiative to breathe new life into old musical instruments”.
For further information contact: Jim Wade 647 771 6996
About Southampton Rotary: Southampton Rotary has served this community for over 85 years. We are a group of friends, leaders, and problemsolvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in our community and around the world. We are people of action who have used our passion, energy, and skills to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water, protecting the environment and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world or as we like to say doing “DO-GOODERY!”
