![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.) Photo_Asset_1](http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20151116_C9274_PHOTO_EN_44451.jpg)
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:
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Percussion instruments
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Guitars
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Portable keyboards
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Banjos
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Mallets
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Violins and Fiddles
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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:
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2002 - Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program was established as part of
a pilot program, which became the Sarah McLachlan School of Music
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Currently, 519 on-site program spots at the SoM and 592 off-site program
spots
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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