News: Fundraising
Sponsor the Latin American Suzuki Ensemble
What do Solomon, Daijah, and Ronda have in common? They were part of the Rainbow Suzuki Strings group from East Cleveland, OH, who were featured at our conference in 2006.
This past week, Solomon wrote that his trip had been important to him because he learned new things. Daijah said she felt more mature and experienced after the trip, and she will take these experiences with her throughout her life. Ronda said she now has more experience as a violinist from playing in front of our audience, and this experience calmed her nerves.
The Rainbow Strings as a whole wrote this when they heard that a Latin American Suzuki group would be coming to the 2008 conference:
Annual Fund Campaign 2007
The Board would like to thank those of you who have already remembered the SAA with a gift to our current campaign. We are also grateful to Gwendoline Thornblade for her support letter that formed the basis for this year’s appeal.
Annual Fund gifts are essential to maintaining and growing our Scholarship Program, sustaining and expanding our Teacher Development programs, parent education programs, website, Journal and other publications, and supporting the work of the International Suzuki Association.
You can now make a donation to the SAA online.
If you haven’t yet sent in your gift, please remember the SAA by year’s end!
Help bring the Latin American Ensemble to the Conference
A student group composed of kids from all over Latin America is coming to the Conference in Minneapolis next May. We need your help to make this happen! Please consider organizing a fundraising event for the Latin American Ensemble with your studio.
If you can donate airline miles, please email info@suzukiassociation.org
For Suzuki students in South and Central America, please see the information and applications for the Latin American Ensemble in Spanish.
Benefit the SAA through Giveline
The SAA is now an approved charity in the Giveline program. Giveline allows customers to purchase gifts and gift cards online while making a donation to the organization of their choice. Every purchase made generates a gift—on average 16%, with no cost to the recipient non-profit organization. As you will see when you visit the Giveline website, you may choose books, music, electronics, movies, great holiday gift items for family and friends, as well as useful items for home and garden—over one million items. Think of SAA as you shop with Giveline!
Annual Fund Campaign
The SAA Board and Staff wish to thank all who have contributed to the Annual Fund Campaign in the past few months. This year’s campaign ends March 1. While donations are welcome and greatly appreciated throughout the year, your gifts during this annual winter campaign help us plan and budget for the coming fiscal year.
2006 Annual Fund
The SAA Board is pleased to report that FY’06 (August 1, 2005-July 31, 2006) was our most successful year ever in receiving charitable gifts from members and friends. In addition to the $31,000+ received specifically for Gulf Coast Relief, a total of $47,977 was received in Annual Fund gifts and scholarship donations. We are very pleased that many of you chose to give to your Suzuki organization to support ongoing programs and scholarship efforts!
We hope that the many donors who met the $75 challenge enjoyed the special CD gift with outstanding performances donated by Suzuki alumni. Send your feedback! An Annual Fund is annual, of course. The 2007 fiscal year is well underway, and we will need your generous support once again. Watch for the Annual Fund mailing coming from the Board in early November.
Katrina Update
SAA teachers and families can be proud of the difference they are making in the lives of Gulf Coast Suzuki teachers, students and families who were victims of Katrina. A total of $31,349 in donations was received and has been distributed. The New Orleans Suzuki Forum, the Centenary College Suzuki Program and the New Orleans Youth Symphony were recipients of scholarship funds. In addition, two harps and two guitars were purchased to be used by area students under the direction of the New Orleans Suzuki Forum. Please see our “scrapbook” on p.55-57 of ASJ 34.4 for a glimpse of the outpouring of appreciation that has been received.
2005 Annual Fund Drive
We’re excited to be able to offer a premium gift with this year’s Annual Fund Campaign! Donors of $75 or more will receive Celebrating Excellence, a very special CD of outstanding musical performances. The CD was created for the SAA campaign through the generous donation of recordings by professionals who grew up in the Suzuki community. All donations are tax deductible and benefit the ongoing programs and services of the SAA. Read more about the annual fund drive.
Suzuki Hurricane Relief Fund
Suzuki teachers, students and parents throughout the Americas reached out to those affected by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Thank you to everyone who contributed donations to the Suzuki Hurricane Relief Fund by holding Practice-A-Thons and Benefit Concerts. As we continue to collect donations, the SAA will aid Suzuki teachers and families in the Gulf region who are in dire need. To learn more about how our Suzuki community is helping, click here.
Hurricane Katrina Relief
The Suzuki Association of the Americas extends concern and prayers to those affected by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. We have received many emails and phone calls regarding efforts underway to provide support for Suzuki families, teachers and schools. The Suzuki community has great heart, and as we are able, we will help to bring the spirit of Dr. Suzuki back into those communities in need. As the Hurricane victims continue to recover from this devastation and have their basic needs met, the SAA will act as a clearinghouse to receive communication about specific needs and local fundraising efforts. The SAA has also created the Suzuki Hurricane Relief Fund. For more information about the Fund and ways our Suzuki community is helping, click here
The SAA would like to encourage you to orchestrate any local fundraising efforts in honor of Dr. Suzuki’s birthday, October 17th and/or “Make a Difference Day” on October 22nd. If you have information about specific needs or would like to share stories about local fundraising efforts, please email info@suzukiassociation.org