Nick Nurse Foundation gives $20,000 to Hamilton Music Collective
This year, it's a very, merry Christmas for the Hamilton Music Collective - all thanks to the Nick Nurse Foundation.
The Toronto-based organization, founded by Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, announced Wednesday that it would be donating $20,000 to support the An Instrument for Every Child program, which is run by the Hamilton Music Collective.
Partnering with 14 schools, the program reaches more than 650 students, providing barrier-free music lessons and access to instruments, music therapy, songwriting and music production, according to a media release.
In a video posted to Twitter Wednesday, Arkells frontman Max Kerman can be seen chatting on the phone with Astrid Hepner, the founder of the collective, capturing the moment she found out about the donation. Nurse was also on the call.
The only request I have, Astrid, is once the world gets back to normal that I come down and get as many of these kids together and I get to hear them play a few tunes," said Nurse.
Hepner was nearly speechless, after the donation was seconded by Kerman - who is a board member of the organization - over the phone.
I don't have to think too hard on this one," said Kerman.
The program's goal is to empower and enable all children to experience the joy and benefits of playing music, regardless of their socio-economic position."
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, their programming has moved online, with more than 300 kids currently taking part in weekly virtual lessons, stated the media release.
In a release, Hepner said the collective is incredibly grateful" for the generous" donation.
Music helps release anxiety and stress, and this wonderful gift could not have come at a better time," said Hepner, noting that the organization is set to roll out a number of programs in the coming year. This financial aid to the program will have an immeasurable impact when we need it most."
Kerman said he knows first-hand the health benefits of music lessons and access to instruments. Throughout the pandemic, the band hosted online music classes to help bring their fans together at a distance.
Amidst current social distancing protocols, it's even more important that we lean in and make sure kids aren't missing out," he said.
Once the pandemic lets up, Nurse said he's excited to come see the kids play some tunes."
My second favourite city in Canada is Hamilton, so I'd love to come down and check it out as soon as we're able," said Nurse, in the release.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com