MFLA seeks donations of musical instruments, cash

The good folks of Music for Lifelong Achievement (MFLA) are just about ready to launch their annual drive to collect donated musical instruments, which will be held this year from September 11 to October 11.

MFLA is a not-for-profit organization based at the Sheldon Concert Hall that seeks donations of used and new musical instruments, then donates the instruments to school and community music programs serving disadvantaged young people. MFLA also raises funds for instrument repair and musical accessories. From the news release:

"Throughout the drive, all St. Louis-area Starbucks stores will serve as drop-off locations for used and new musical instruments. The donated instruments will then be repaired and distributed to local schools and community music programs serving aspiring music students who otherwise would not be able to afford an instrument. Over the past five years, MFLA/Starbucks instrument drives have collected over 500 instruments which have been recycled to St. Louis City and County school districts and a variety of community music programs.

You can help in two ways. If you have a used musical instrument, you can donate it at any local Starbucks location, including St. Charles, O’Fallon and the Metro East. In addition to a tax-deduction for the value of the instrument donated, you will also receive a coupon for a free Starbucks beverage! If you don’t have an instrument to donate, your cash donation will help pay for necessary repairs of donated instruments, as well as accessories such as strings, reeds and sheet music."

For more information or to make a donation, call The Sheldon at 314-533-9900 or visit www.supportmfla.org. MFLA will provide a thank you letter to serve as a tax deduction receipt for the value of the instruments or funds donated.

(Edited 9/2/09 to fix a typo.)