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a Time."

Q and A with Roger Fachini

Q. What prompted you to start Charity Music?
A. It started out as a musical instrument drive to raise funds for the symphony orchestra. It was not a very profitable in that respect, but we started getting calls from other groups schools and other non-profits - who could really use some of the instruments that we'd collected. Helping others in this way turned out to be fun, and some of us stayed with it. Now we frequently team up with other 501(C)(3)s like the Make A Wish Foundation and United Way to help organize instrument drives and related fundraisers.

Q. How do you achieve the exceptional efficiency for which Charity Music is noted?
A. By identifying key people local to each region that share our commitment, and leveraging their determination and leadership. We are in the process of establishing chapters in every state, where members organize instrument drives, and connect with other area non-profits for local events to raise funds, as well as awareness of Charity Music. Also, donation collection locations are key to the success of the musical instrument program. Originally these were mostly music stores, as this was a way for them to help out and get some recognition in return. The interest in participating is expanding, however. I recently received a call from the owner of a beauty salon who wants to organize an instrument drive.

Q. If I had an extra musical instrument, why would I donate it to Charity Music instead of my local school or a near-by musical institute?
A. Wherever there is a need, by all means, that's OK. Charity Music either has or will have the infrastructure to match donations to specific needs, depending on your geographic location. Ideally, Charity Music will act as a clearing house similar to the "Freecycle" networks (which in fact we work through sometimes).

Q. What's on the horizon for Charity Music?
A. More collaboration with other organizations, such as Reno's Holland Project (which was a co-beneficiary of the "Rock for Rock's Sake" concert). An expanded web presence, with an automated way of tracking donations and requests. Pub-Crawls (where we're hoping for a chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records) and Poker Runs to help raise awareness. You can generally get a list of current events at www.charitymusic.com.

Q. What instrument(s) do you play?
A. I played sax and clarinet in the Marine Corps Band.

Q. Any other comments?
A. Yes. Groups like Charity Music give kids options. We're hoping that more of them will pick up a clarinet instead of a hypodermic needle.

To find out more about Charity Music, or to learn how you can get involved, visit http://www.charitymusic.org.

Re ferences:
http://www.charitymus ic.org
http://www.inspiredparen ting.net/nurturewithmusic.pdf
h ttp://thinkexist.com/
http://ww w.academicleadership.org/stude nt_research/AN_ASSESSMENT_OF_T HE_PERCEIVED_BENEFITS_OF.shtml
http://www.amc-music.com/resea rch_briefs.htm

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