Troy Rotary to Ship 500 Recorders to Children in Afghanistan

The following information was submitted by Troy Rotary.

The is on a mission to deliver 500 recorders to troops in Afghanistan, which will then be distributed to Afghan children. But the Troy Rotary needs help and is reaching out to the community asking for assistance in purchasing and delivering the recorders.

The Rotary is working to raise $3,000 for this project, and the first shipment has been scheduled for May 3. Phase two will be to send the rest of the instruments by the end of June. 

These woodwind, flute-like musical instruments will be given to children in Afghanistan to bring music back to their villages.

"This is an incredible idea, a wonderful project and an opportunity to really make a difference," Rotarian Eileen Heasley, one of the project organizers, said. "It is said that music is a universal language. Enabling our soldiers to give this tangible gift to a young generation helps demonstrate the purpose in being there. It exclaims what freedom is all about.”

Heasley explained that Jason Hale, a Troy Rotarian on leave from the Troy Rotary Club, is serving in the Army in Afghanistan. He and his fellow servicemen will receive the shipments and give the recorders to the youngsters. In one recent message, Hale wrote appreciatively, describing the impact of the gift of music as a great long term seed to plant in the hearts of children. Hale also noted that every friend in Afghanistan can literally make the difference between life and death.  

If you or your organization would like to help, please contact project organizer Eileen Heasley at 248-689-5634 or eheasley@wideopenwest.com.

To donate online via PayPal, visit the website at  http://troyrotary.net, click on "Music for Afghan Children" and then "Donate via PayPal." Donations can also be mailed directly to Troy Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 4544, Troy, MI  48099.

“The simple beauty of a recorder is found in an instant," Heasley said. "Take a recorder, add a child and musical fun is made. The true difficulty is in getting the recorders in their hands and winning their freedom to express themselves. The Troy Rotary is especially motivated to help our soldiers do just that in Operation Enduring Freedom."