Above: Instrumental Angels upcycles donated instruments to put them in the hands of children and veterans who can’t afford to buy them. (images cropped from website)
Does your family have old clarinets or flutes tucked away that nobody plays? Did your child outgrow their starter violin? Or is your old keyboard just collecting dust?
A Southborough business owner asked me to help spread the word about her efforts to collect musical instruments for a non-profit.
According to their website, Instrumental Angels donate instruments “to children in need and veterans throughout the world from South Boston to Fogo Island, Cape Verde, South Africa.”
The charity’s website specifies that they can’t accept acoustic pianos, electric organs, drum sets, or broken electronic equipment. But, in addition to “upcycling” instruments, they also accept music and accessories. (If someone has a large number of items to donate, there is a form that should first be submitted.)
Cedar Brook Pediatric Dentistry is one of three locations where the public can drop off donations. Dentist Naomi La explains why she is supporting the cause:
While being a pediatric dentist, I am a musician at heart. I grew up with music, and I know the various benefits that music can bring to children physically, psychologically and spiritually.
According to La, the Sudbury based non-profit was founded by high school students to donate instruments to foster children that need them in the local MA communities, as well as international communities. Based on their website, it looks like the mission has expanded to also include veterans.
When making a drop-off, Instrumental Angels’ website asks donors:
When leaving instruments at one of our drop-off locations, please provide the donors name and e-mail address in the instrument case, as well as email us letting us know you have dropped off, and where. This way we can thank the proper donors and the donors can receive a tax receipt via email from one of our volunteers.
Cedar Brook Pediatric Dentistry’s office is located in the shopping plaza at 162 Cordaville Road (suite 175). They are open Mon-Thurs from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
You can also make a financial contribution to the 501(c)3 here.
Updated (8/3/23 7:28 pm): I accidentally wrote the wrong name for the business. It is Cedar Brook Pediatric Dentistry
