by Ian Felton

Created on: September 06, 2010

For many children in Appalachia, the band programs in the public schools provide more than just an escape from the sometimes overwhelming poverty that accompanies certain pockets of Appalachia. Band means forming camaraderie and discipline, stimulating creative expression and emotional release and instilling a foundation for future development within groups. Band teaches discipline, teamwork, accountability, and responsibility.

By improving the band programs in areas of Appalachia that suffer from extreme poverty, more children from those areas can benefit from the positive aspects of taking part in band. Marching Mountains began in order to allow people to donate musical instruments to these band programs and share in making life better for these children. Some of these children who otherwise would not have the exposure to the rewards of taking part in band will go on to improve themselves and their lives as a direct result of the opportunities Marching Mountains' network creates.

Marching Mountains' network seeks to create a cooperation of passionate people inside of Appalachia as well as the support of those outside of the area who wish to see an improvement of one aspect of Appalachia.

Donors from all over the country have found satisfaction in knowing that their used instrument went on to change the life of a child.

"Thanks for all you are doing to help those kids and their school band programs!” wrote an instrument donor from the Twin Cities.

The band directors who have received the musical instrument donations attest to the significance of each individual musical instrument they receive through Marching Mountains because someone, somewhere cared enough to give.

“There’s a great need in our area for instruments and Marching Mountains is fulfilling that need,” said Jeanette Oldaker, Band Instructor for Harts Middle School in Harts, WV. Jeanette Oldaker is one of many band directors that received an instrument from Marching Mountains in August.

Marching Mountains created a documentary showing donated musical instruments delivered to band directors in distressed regions of Appalachia so that donors can gain more emotional value from their donation.

The documentary can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeOUh2NRQdQ

There are also tax benefits to donating your used musical instrument to an organization like Marching Mountains. The value of your donated instrument is deductible from federal taxes. More on deducting a charitable donation, such as a musical instrument can be found on the IRS web site.

Marching Mountains can be found on the web at http://marchingmountains.org

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