VANCOUVER, Nov. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial is
teaming up with the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) to kick
off a four-week musical instrument drive and individual monetary
donation matching program.
The SoM is seeking donations of new or gently used musical
instruments starting today, November 16,
2015 until December 12,
2015. Anyone who donates an instrument has the chance to
win a personal experience with Grammy and Juno Award-winning
Canadian music icon Sarah McLachlan
in Vancouver.
"This musical instrument drive is a perfect way to connect the
community, putting instruments into the hands of deserving and
eager students," said Rob Appleton,
Executive Director, Sarah McLachlan School of Music. "We hope
people will dig through their basements and storage lockers and
donate used instruments - giving the gift of music."
Some of the instruments the SoM is currently in need of
include:
- Percussion instruments
- Guitars
- Portable keyboards
|
- Banjos
- Mallets
- Violins and Fiddles
|
Throughout the musical instrument drive, Sun Life Financial
will be matching individual monetary donations made to the SoM
dollar-for-dollar, up to a total maximum of $25,000.
Visit www.sarahschoolofmusic.com/donate to learn more about how
to make a monetary or musical instrument donation.
"We've seen first-hand the amazing impact music can have on the
lives of children and youth. It inspires and builds resilience,
confidence and hope," said Paul
Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy &
Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "We are committed to supporting
charitable organizations such as the Sarah McLachlan School of
Music, which provides students with opportunities they wouldn't
otherwise have."
In October 2014, Sun Life
Financial announced a three-year relationship with the SoM,
supporting Sarah McLachlan's vision
of making a difference by bringing music to the lives of young
people. The SoM reflects the core goal of Sun Life Financial's
signature Making the Arts More Accessible™ program;
providing Canadians the opportunity to enjoy the very best of our
country's arts and cultural community, regardless of their
financial means.
FAST FACTS:
- 2002 - Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program was established
as part of a pilot program, which became the Sarah McLachlan School
of Music
- Currently, 519 on-site program spots at the SoM and 592
off-site program spots
- October 2014 - Sun Life Financial
announced a three-year, $300,000
relationship with the SoM
- In 2014 Sun Life Financial donated $1.8
million to various arts and cultural organizations across
Canada
About the Sarah McLachlan School of Music
The Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) provides top quality
music instruction at no cost, in a safe and nurturing environment,
for at-risk and underserved children and youth in grades 4-12. SoM
reaches hundreds of students every year, providing them with the
space and tools they need to express themselves. The school offers
them a community to cultivate healthy relationships, connect and
collaborate with others and with themselves, develop the skills
they need to explore their creative potential, and ultimately build
confidence.
About Sun Life Financial
Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading
international financial services organization providing a diverse
range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals
and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have
operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United
States, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Hong Kong, the
Philippines, Japan,
Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2015, the Sun Life Financial group
of companies had total assets under management of $846 billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian
dollars
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.
Image with caption: "Sarah
McLachlan, Sun Life Financial's Paul
Joliat, and students Zabrina, Mattias and Seven, kick off a
musical instrument drive and individual monetary donation matching
program in support of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (CNW
Group/Sun Life Financial Inc.)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151116_C9274_PHOTO_EN_44451.jpg