Save The Music Foundation hosted a ceremony at Ball Junior High School on January 24th, 2024, celebrating The Drake Gives as they presented a check for $205,000 to the Anaheim Union High School District to empower young lives through music
Anaheim, CA: The Drake Gives, the nonprofit initiative of Laguna Beach’s iconic live music and restaurant venue, The Drake, delivered a transformative $205,000 grant to five schools within the Anaheim Union High School District through their partnership with Save The Music. This substantial contribution directly fuels music education, providing new instruments and significantly enhancing each school’s music program.
The check presentation ceremony at Ball Junior High School was a vibrant showcase of student talent, with performances guided by Nate Wilson, the school’s band director. Joined by key members of Save The Music, including Executive Director Henry Donahue, Chief Development Director Danielle Zalaznick, and Western Regional Program Director Tonya Hylton, Alec Glasser and Wendy Misner of The Drake Gives reaffirmed their commitment to expanding musical opportunities for underserved youth. Gratefully accepting the grant were Michael Matsuda, Superintendent, Principal Poppy Hill-Bonales and Brian Belski, Director of Arts Education, Anaheim Union High School District, marking a significant stride in the collaboration between philanthropy and education.
“The impact that these instrument music grants have on our student population is immeasurable. Students now have the opportunity and the access to participate in instrumental music, to participate in the power that music has to shape student’s lives, to teach them things like creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, and how to collaborate. Those things are so important in life, in business, and in the real world. This grant allows them access – it is a lever for equity, and provides students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to be able to participate in music.” –Brian Belski, Director of Arts Education, Anaheim Union High School District.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of such an impactful program and transforming these kid’s lives through the power of music. This was the goal from the beginning and seeing the students learn to play the instruments The Drake Gives’ program has provided, is a dream come true!” –Alec Glasser, Founder, The Drake and The Drake Gives.
Since The Drake Gives first joined forces with Save The Music in 2022, they have raised over half a million dollars for music education equity and access. Having supported music education re-builds across the country, including Los Angeles and their own backyard of Orange County, The Drake Gives’ contributions have impacted more than 12,000 students nationwide. Almost half of these funds have specifically been used to jumpstart music programs in 5 schools in Anaheim Union High School District, providing over 7,000 students with instruments and equipment to perform in their school bands and to record & produce music of their own.
About The Drake Gives
The Drake Gives is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to connect, inspire and provide underserved youth with the music education, materials and instruments they need and deserve to fuel their passions and experience the power of music. The Founder of The Drake and The Drake Gives, Alec Glasser, discovered the saxophone in public school at the age of 12. That experience profoundly shaped his life in ways he never dreamed possible – his wish is for all kids to be able to have the same opportunity in their public school education. Launching in 2021, to date, The Drake Gives has raised over half a million dollars to support Save The Music Foundation, which has funded public music education in underprivileged school districts within Orange County, California. Learn more HERE.
About Save The Music
Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. For 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed the systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated $75M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,700 schools – impacting millions of students’ lives in hundreds of communities nationwide. And we’re just getting started! Learn more at savethemusic.org.
