So Music4Life began as a demonstration project to help kids in Seattle Public Schools. Since then, additional programs have been started (in chronological order) at the request of the superintendents in the public school districts of Highline, Shoreline, Edmonds, Everett, Northshore, Bremerton, Auburn, Kent, Marysville, Riverview, Lake Washington, Issaquah, Sultan and Monroe. Numerous other requests to set-up local Music4Life Chapters are being considered.
As a Rotarian I thought Rotary would be a good foundation from which to build. A year or so later, a couple of Rotary Distinct governors (each Rotary District is comprised of about 3,000 Rotarians) told me that we should remove the word “Rotary” from our name because it suggested an endorsement (by Rotary International) that we didn’t have. They said the lawyers at R.I. back at corporate headquarters jealously guard the integrity of the word “Rotary.” The governors also said that, while we were at it, we also should set-up a separate 501(c)(3) organization for liability and other legal purposes. Thus, Rotary Music4Life became just Music4Life and we set-up the separate non-profit organization that donated and repaired musical instruments for use by students in need.
Music4Life is not just a double entendre, but a triple. First, we take kids off the streets, away from gangs and drugs and other negative influences, and give them something meaningful to do with their time. Second, we help open the wonderful world of music to them for the rest of their lives. And third, we founded it with the blessing of 2007-08 Seattle Rotary (also known as “Seattle Number 4” because it was the fourth Rotary club chartered in the history of Rotary International) President John Iverson, also a former President of the Seattle Opera Guild. At that time, I was a member of Seattle #4. In the last several years, Music4Life has enlisted the help of Kiwanis, Lions, Soroptimists and other community service organizations.
Dick Lee was a star basketballer for the Washington Huskies and now pursuing his athletic interests. Through the good graces of supporters like the internationally prominent law firm of Foster Garvey (formerly Garvey Schubert Barer), that provides all Music4Life legal work on a pro bono basis, and many other enthusiasts, our work goes on.
