The Lee County Middle/High School Band in Beattyville, KY needs support for their band program! "Living in one of the poorest communities in our nation, our students face poverty many in our nation may not know still exists. The program struggles to find instruments for the many kids who can't afford them. Most of the school instruments are between 20 and 50 years old and are either in need of repair or broken beyond repair." - Tony Barrett, Band Director

The program is in need of tubas, trumpets, clarinets, flutes, a euphonium, and alto saxophones to replace the aged and unrepairable instruments and allow more students to participate.

Mr. Barrett's program is truly life changing. One student shared "Being a band member has changed the course of my life for the better. In our band, we make memories and friendships and support each other every step of the way. It feels like a family that will never break. For me, joining the band literally saved my life. Before I joined, I had given up, I was ready to end it all at that point, and I was severely depressed. I decided to join band with Mr. Barrett, and it surprised me how much fun I was having. I found how much I enjoyed music and being around my friends in the band. It gave me a purpose and is the only reason I’m alive and in my senior year of high school. What it means to be a band member for me is not only to make music and perform, but to help each other through our lives even at our lowest and darkest times."

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.]