Music for Lifelong Achievement annual instrument drive starts September 29

If you've got an old, unused, or extra musical instrument taking up space in the basement, garage or spare room, Music for Lifelong Achievement will get it out of your way and put it to good use as part of their annual instrument drive, which this year begins Monday, September 29 and continues through Sunday, October 26.

MFLA is a not-for-profit organization based at the Sheldon Concert Hall that collects used and new musical instruments and donates them to school and community music programs serving disadvantaged young people. Since its inception, the organization has provided more than 500 instruments to music students all over the St. Louis area.

There are two ways to help: by giving a musical instrument, or giving cash. For the ninth year, St. Louis-area Starbucks stores once again will serve as drop-off locations for used and new musical instruments during the drive. The donated instruments then will be repaired and distributed to students who otherwise would not be able to afford an instrument. Donors get a letter documenting the value of the instrument for tax deduction purposes.

If you don’t have an instrument to donate, MFLA gladly accepts cash contributions, which are used to help pay for necessary repairs of donated instruments and provide accessories such as strings, reeds, and sheet music. These donations also are tax deductible. For more information or to make a donation, call The Sheldon at 314-533-9900 or visit www.supportmfla.org.