Help Wynton Help His Hometown!
Jazz great and music education ambassador Wynton Marsalis created the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Fund – which is managed by the Baton Rouge Community Foundation (since the New Orleans Community Foundation was washed away!) Wynton has been such a steadfast leader as an advocate for music education here is our opportunity to help him help his hometown and the surrounding areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Wynton said “All New Orleanians need the nation to unite in a deafening crescendo of affirmation to silence that desperate cry that is this disaster. We need people with their prayers, their pocketbooks, and above all their sense of purpose to show the world just who the modern American is and then we'll put our city back together in even greater fashion.”
Your generous gift will provide the Baton Rouge Area Foundation the financial support to provide the victims of Hurricane Katrina with food, water, clothing, housing and medical support. These funds will also lend special assistance to the Crescent City's musicians who are the spirit of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz.
To make a donation go to: http://www.jalc.org/HigherGround/katrina_.asp
For Immediate Humanitarian Needs
The American Red Cross is responding to this unprecedented natural catastrophe and devoting every resource to this humanitarian relief effort. The American people can be confident the Red Cross is moving as fast as humanly possible and will spare no effort to meet the needs of tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors. We worked directly with the Red Cross following 9/11 and can attest to the great work they do for communities in need.
To make a donation go to: http://redcross.org
Here are a few more worthy efforts:
NAMM/Mr. Holland’s Opus Emergency Fund to Help Rebuild Music Programs
When the rescue efforts turn to rebuilding, NAMM – International Music Products Association will lead the way in an area near and dear to our hearts—getting musical instruments back into the hands of children. NAMM has set up a special fund with the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation to help rebuild the music programs in the affected areas and provide additional instruments to the surrounding states absorbing the displaced students. The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation did a great job supporting schools impacted by the hurricanes in 2004. They are uniquely qualified to lead the way in this particular effort.
To make your donation work twice as hard, NAMM will match your contributions dollar for dollar. To make a donation go to: http://www.mhopus.org/
Support for the Music Community Impacted by Hurricane
The Recording Academy, through MusiCares, has set up The MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund. This fund has been set up so music people impacted by Hurricane Katrina can get help. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills, medications; clothing; instrument and recording equipment replacement; relocation costs; school supplies for students; insurance payments and more.
To make a donation go to: http://www.grammy.com/musicares/
Curriculum Kit Helps Students Cope
The American Red Cross offers a curriculum kit, “Masters of Disaster,” that includes ready-to-go lesson plans for integrating disaster preparedness and safety instruction into standard academic classes K-8 with lessons on hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, lightning, and earthquakes. The curriculum is aligned with national and state education standards. MENC contributed to the program’s curriculum supplement entitled “Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Tragic Events.”
Download lessons at http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/ or contact your local American Red Cross Chapter for the print version of “Masters of Disaster.”
