October 4, 2010
Dear Neighbor and Community Partner,

We want to extend our sincerest gratitude toward you for your generous donation of your most important asset, your time. At Imagine Academy of Careers Middle School We believe in our students' success and understand the importance of establishing strong community partnerships to support their success.

Each team member would like to thank you for your interest and participation with our students during your visit to campus last month. Your recent visit has generated numerous questions, comments and responses of interest regarding your industry. After your departure, not only were questions answered insightfully, but our students displayed a broader knowledge of the opportunities that lay in wait of them.

Please know we want this to become a reoccurring annual event. We have received overwhelming feedback on your presence and its' impact. Again, it was tremendous to have your support concerning our efforts as educators here with the population we serve. Thank you for sharing your valuable talent and time, it was greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Mr. Walter Collie Jr., Interim Principal
Imagine Academy of Careers Middle School

September, 2010
Dear Samantha,

Thank you and PLAY IT FORWARD for all your efforts in putting together a five (5) guitar donation to the Strings Attached project. Your donations make it possible for deserving youth to have instruments to take home and practice their music lesson material.

Our efforts in helping youth become musically literate and to have a foundation in St. Louis music history would not be possible without generous help such as yours.

Thank you for all you do for so many youth here in St. Louis and surrounding neighborhoods.

With sincere appreciation,
Steve Housewright
The Strings Attached project

Wyland Elementary School is located in Overland, Missouri, and is part of the Ritenour School District. The student population of Wyland Elementary is approximately 480 highly diverse students (5% Asian, 29% Black, 11% Hispanic, .7% Indian, and 53% White). 63% of Wyland Elementary students qualify for free and reduced lunches. Most Wyland families are of lower and lower middle class economic status. The rich cultural diversity represented by the student population of Wyland Elementary provides a fertile atmosphere for learning. Students come to Wyland with many varying musical traditions, but with few opportunities to develop and expand those traditions. For most Wyland students, school is the only opportunity they have for organized music making and learning. Enthusiasm for music making and learning at Wyland Elementary School is high on the part of students, and the surrounding community is appreciative of our efforts. The Ritenour School District is supportive of the arts in general, but they are similar to many other smaller districts with limited financial resources; the dollars have to be stretched among a wide variety of programs. While I am appreciative of what the Ritenour School District is able to provide, it really does not meet the needs and the potential of our diverse enthusiastic music makers. Our students have a very solid foundation in singing and moving, but lack the critical experiences of classroom instrumental music such as those exemplified by Carl Orff's philosophy*.

For most Wyland students, music is a haven from the federal mandates of increased achievement. Although research clearly supports the importance of the role of the arts in increasing academic achievement, Wyland students know it as a place where they can express and celebrate who they are. When I meet students in the halls of Wyland and they ask "Do we get to come to Music today?" it tells me what an important part of the school day my classes are. On many occasions I have stated that I feel I have the best job in the world because I get to work with great kids sharing what I love to do best! Wyland is filled with great kids who really deserve the best musical experiences possible. Any effort to help students at Wyland is a sound investment in the future!

Lori Scissors
Wyland Elementary Music Specialist
Ritenour School District

Thank you so very much for your donation of nearly 30 instruments to our program! In the single year since its inception, Orchestrating Diversity has witnessed an incredible expansion in both capacity and results. This growth has coincided with a remarkably weakened economy, producing a climate where funding is hard to come by at all levels. Indeed our budget has operated at a bare minimum of its needs thus far; Orchestrating Diversity succeeds only through the very passionate and enthusiastic support of the community as in-kind support accounts for nearly 2/3 of our budget. It is through such support from agencies like Play It Forward that Saint Louis may boast progressive and effective programs such as Orchestrating Diversity as part of its landscape and heritage. Keep making great things possible.

Sincerely,
Mark Sarich, Jesse Windels, Max Woods, Kory Lyles
Orchestrating Diversity

May 1, 2010
Dear Samantha,

I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the charitable contributions made to Carnahan High School through the Play It Forward foundation. The instruments we received have made it possible for me to increase the enrollment of students in our instrumental music classes and replace instruments in disrepair.

As an advocate for the arts, I'm sure that you are aware of the vital role that music plays in education. When I began teaching at Carnahan 4 years ago, we had virtually no instruments to provide students. We have relied almost exclusively on donations throught organizations like yours to give students the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. Many groups have offered help but few have answered the call.

Most of the trumpets, trombones, clarinet, flute, saxophone and percussion equipment we received from Play It Forward have been given to students in my beginning band class. When I brought in the cases to tell students that we had received some new instruments the were ecstatic. Students became excited about playing and motivated to practice more.

Please know that we sincerely appreciate the gift of music you are providing to our students. I trust that the accompanying letters from students themselves will demonstrate how important these instruments are to them. I hope that you will be able to visit us soon so that you can see and hear the way your instruments are being used.

Sincerely,
G. Allen Stith
Carnahan High School of the Future
Music Department

March 31,2010
Dear Samantha,

Kratz Elementary wishes to express our appreciation for the violins donated by the "Play It Forward" organization. We are a school in which many parents cannot afford the extra cost of buying or renting instruments. I'm so happy to be able to now provide an experience for students lives to be touched by another type of musical experience that would not have been possible without the support of your organization. Kratz elementary thanks you.

Sincerely,
Deb Harder
Music Specialist
Kratz Elementary

November 19, 2009
Dear Ms. Brogan,

To the members and organizers of the "Play It Forward" music donation program, I want to personally thank you for all of the efforts to collect, repair, and distribute musical instruments to qualifying schools. Hazelwood Central Middle was a recipient of several items. The instruments are being put to good use by our teachers and students. Here is one letter of endorsement by our Orchestra teacher, Laura Huhn.

"Thanks to Play It Forward I will soon be able to start a guitar class here at Hazelwood Central Middle School! The children have been begging for a guitar class for years and we just didn't have the resources to purchase the instruments. I hope to get the class started ASAP... We are so much closer to our goal thanks to Play It Forward."

Laura B. Huhn
Director of Orchestras
Hazelwood Central Middle School

Again, thank you Play It Forward, we have enjoyed partnering with your organization.

We will speak highly of your staff warmth and commitment to bringing the arts to all students in the St. Louis area. We look forward to our next opportunity when we may work together.

Sincerely,
Robert L. Lawrence
Principal
Central Middle… Where children matter more.

Dear Samantha,

First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your hard work to collect, and get these band instruments repaired for my band students to use during the school year. I am sure that, at least in part due to the economy, the current school year has brought more students that can't afford band instruments to my program. I also use these instruments for students to use as back ups when their instruments are in a music shop to be repaired. Without them, some students will not get to be in the band. THANKS AGAIN!!!

Sincerely,
Clifford T. McDaniel Jr.
Band Director
Hoech Middle School

August 19, 2009
Ms. Fisher,

Normandy High School was the lucky recipient of one of Play it Forward's generous instrument donations. The instruments we received were in great condition and immediately available to be placed in students' hands! All of the music department teachers and students are deeply appreciative of the valuable work your organization is doing to ensure music education and access to the arts for our students and their families. Keep up your good work!

Gratefully,
Deborah Antoine
Fine Arts Department
Normandy High School