Central Elementary School in Albemarle, NC needs help for their music program! Central Elementary's music program is more than just a subject - it's a place where students explore their creativity and find their voice. Music teacher Regan Eudy, who knew she wanted to teach music from the age of 11, creates an engaging, hands-on learning environment where her students thrive.

"In my music class, we are loud, chaotic, and silly. I don't believe that music should ever be boring. I don't believe in worksheets, or tests, or playing videos for them to clap along to. I believe in the gritty, get-on-the-floor-with-the-kids, hands-on making music. My kids are funny, smart, hardworking, and determined. You hand them an instrument and they come alive. You sing them a song and they'll sing it back to you. They are incredible musicians and deserve the best there is to offer. Your donations will change their life. The instruments purchased will provide my kids with opportunities they've never had before, and experiences they'll cherish forever." -Regan Eudy

The music program is in urgent need of new Orff instruments, percussion, ukuleles, and adaptive instruments for Special Education (SPED) students to replace aged ones, reduce sharing, and allow more students to participate.

"One of the classes that will particularly benefit from your donations is my Special Education music class. Many of our SPED children are non-verbal, but music is their language. One child in particular has amazed me. She is an 8-year-old child and is enrolled in our SPED program. She doesn't talk, but she sings. She will sing her name with me and strum my autoharp, and she can even dictate rhythms in music! She is someone who, when I think of her and her achievements, brings tears to my eyes. Isn't that what music is all about? Giving a voice to the voiceless, a song to those who may never be heard otherwise, and a way to connect us all despite our differences? What a beautiful gift we have been given, and what a joy it is to share it with children." - Regan Eudy

Schools participating in the Adopt A School campaign are qualified through MHOF’s vetting and eligibility process, giving donors confidence that their investment is protected and sustainable, impacting students for a minimum of 10 years (the lifespan of an instrument in a school setting.) Donations made to this school’s fundraising campaign go directly to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF). MHOF then purchases the specific instruments the school is in need of at a substantially discounted price and the instruments deliver directly to the school.

With generous and transformative support from Eddie Van Halen over the years and now continuing through his son Wolfgang, The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is pleased to announce that the Van Halen Family has committed to kickstarting the Adopt A School campaign with a generous $1,000 donation towards each of the first 100 participating schools.

Donate today and help these students foster their love of music, every dollar counts!

To spread the word on social media or link to this page in your own fundraising efforts, use the links below! And to learn more about The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation's Adopt A School campaign, visit mhopus.org/adopt-a-school or contact MHOF at info@mhopus.org or 818-762-4328.

[5% of donations are retained for JustGiving’s required service fee, MHOF retains an additional 10% to cover administrative costs associated with school vetting and granting of instruments.]