HOUSTON – A Houston elementary school that lost its music program because of Hurricane Harvey received a delivery Tuesday of more than $25,000 in musical instruments and supplies, organizers said.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation, in partnership with Hard Rock Heals Foundation, provided Scarborough Elementary School with the delivery. Organizers said the two foundations will replace all of the instruments lost during the hurricane and will provide additional instruments the school needs to take its music program to the next level.
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The music program will be equipped with a full set of Orff instruments, string and band instruments and music stands, organizers said.
"Hard Rock Heals Foundation believes in the power of music to improve lives," said Shared Kellie Brown, manager of global philanthropy for Hard Rock International. "Our entire organization is honored to support rebuilding efforts within the Houston community following the 2017 hurricane season. We are grateful to our partner VH1 Save The Music Foundation for their relentless commitment to music education in communities across the U.S. Today, we proudly gift our donation to ensure that the gift of music continues in the lives of Scarborough Elementary School students for years to come."
Organizers said artist and musician Lola Blu participated in the delivery by unveiling an original painting she has dedicated to the elementary school.
Blu, a supporter of VH1 Save The Music, was expected to also answer student questions and share the impact music and art have made on her career and life, organizers said.
"Art and music is my life and being able to combine the two has been a dream of mine since I was 15 years old,” Blu said. “I am extremely grateful that I get to make instruments come to life and give back to my musical community one instrument and musical project at a time."
"With the generous support from Hard Rock Heals Foundation and Lola Blu, we are thrilled to celebrate this recovery grant with all 500 Scarborough students today," said Jaclyn Rudderow, program director for VH1 Save The Music. "We are dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to the tools they need to be successful in school and beyond, and it is thanks to our partners that we can make this happen."