Music For Lifelong Achievement, Starbucks teaming up to collect instruments for kids

This isn't strictly a jazz-related item, but since it's a good cause and since jazz writer/StLJN pal Terry Perkins is involved, we pass it along to you, albeit gently edited to remove some corporate boilerplate, with a hearty recommendation:

MUSIC FOR LIFELONG ACHIEVEMENT AND STARBUCKS TEAM UP FOR FOURTH ANNUAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DONATION DRIVE

Music For Lifelong Achievement is once again teaming up with St. Louis Starbucks Coffee locations for the fourth consecutive year in an effort to help music education programs throughout the metropolitan area by collecting donated musical instruments. The drive kicks off Friday, September 8th and runs through Sunday, October 15, 2006. All Starbucks locations in the city of St. Louis and surrounding counties of St. Louis , St. Charles and Jefferson will accept donations of used or new musical instruments from customers. Instruments collected during the drive will be donated to school and community music programs serving disadvantaged kids.

“Thanks to the generosity of Starbucks customers and the enthusiasm of Starbucks partners, in each of the past three years, we’ve doubled the number of instruments collected,” states Terry Perkins, MFLA Coordinator. “We’re confident we can reach that goal again in 2006.”

Each Starbucks customer donating an instrument will receive a free beverage – and the first 100 persons donating an instrument will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. Donors will also receive a tax deduction from MFLA for the value of the donated instrument. “St. Louis Starbucks Coffee Company is proud to again partner with Music for Lifelong Achievement’s annual instrument donation drive,” adds David Wall, District Manager, Starbucks St. Louis. “Giving young people the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument can positively impact many other areas of their lives.”

Those who do not have a musical instrument to donate can still help by making a tax-deductible monetary contribution to MFLA. Funds will be used to refurbish donated instruments and purchase needed accessories such as reeds, strings and sheet music. Donation forms will be available at all local Starbucks locations.

Music For Lifelong Achievement is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing new and refurbished musical instruments to school and community music programs serving disadvantaged young people. MFLA is based at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, and is affiliated with the Sheldon Arts Foundation, an accredited 501c3 organization. For more information, visit the MFLA website at www.supportmfla.org.