News : VS accepting donations of used instruments for band

Recent donations to the Vinton-Shellsburg band department serve as reminder that items hidden in area attics may be very valuable gifts.

"We have been receiving some used instruments from the community," says VS Middle School Band Director Jodi Biershenk. "When they come in in very good condition, I can give them directly to families in need. Right now is a good time to donate, because we have 5th graders who will be starting very soon."Bierschenk says the donation of virtually any instrument in any condition is welcome.

"I have received several instruments that are in need of repair, but if a family is willing to make those repairs, they can have the instrument," she says. "Finding a woodwind instrument in good shape is more rare; the pads go bad and it can cost hundreds of dollars to repair. Usually the instrument is worth it, but it is just expensive to repair it."

Donations of instruments can be tax-deductible, says Biershenk.

"If someone would like a receipt for tax purposes, I can do that unless it is worth more than $1,000," she says. "In that case, we need a music store's appraisal." If someone has an instrument to donate, please bring it to Jodi Bierschenk at the middle school, or email Jodi at "Most clarinets and flutes I get need new pads, so are not really usable until they are repaired," she says. "Trumpets and trombones are usually very usable. I'm not sure how many students need help with expenses, because they just don't join band. I can place two or three instruments in the hands of a needy student every year."

Those interested in contributing toward helping band students can use their credit card by accessing the foundation’s website at vscsdfoundation.org/impact-now
and clicking on the RevTrack icon. If you would like to donate with a check, please send them directly to the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School Foundation, 1502 C. Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349. Please note your purpose in the memo line.

Theresa Meyer, the current Foundation board president recently wrote: "In the past the Foundation has been highly focused on scholarships and serving as a tax-deductible entity for contributions to larger projects like the animal learning lab. As part of my emphasis as the new board president, and in keeping with Foundation’s original mission, we are making a renewed emphasis on providing significantly increased support for PreK through 12th grade education."

"With this renewed focus," explains Theresa, "the Foundation has already launched an initiative to facilitate donation of used musical instruments for students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in band."

Heidi Popelka Jones, a former Vinton-Shellsburg student, recently donated her saxophone and said, “Band was such a creative outlet for me and it saddens me when students are unable to participate because their families can’t afford an instrument. I want every interested student to have the experience I did regardless of their family’s finances. It makes me feel great to donate the alto sax I've had since 6th grade and to give a motivated student the gift of an opportunity to participate. ”