Local Alliance donates 50+ violins for high risk students

Violin Shop Tampa/Sarasota announces collaborative gift to Hogar de Cristo.

Today, at their shop in Sarasota, Florida, Dereck Coons announced that Violin Shop Sarasota, with the assistance of Strings Con Brio and Super Sensitive Musical String Company, has donated over 50 quality violins to Hogar de Cristo in Chile to help educate At-risk children and youth in the country.

“It is with great pleasure that Violin Shop Tampa is given the opportunity to assist Hogar de Cristo in its mission to rehabilitate vulnerable children/youth,” said Dereck Coons, of Violin Shop Sarasota. “Our ability to collaborate with local organizations and vendors has allowed us to have an enormous impact in our local community and, now, internationally.  This is a major accomplishment for Sarasota in bringing its philanthropic reputation to the world.  These instruments will impact children for decades to come.”

Six (6) of mentioned violins were donated by generous persons Mr/Mrs Cody and Maggie Marcel from Tampa FL.

Hogar de Cristo

Hogar de Cristo, Sumate foundation has more than 25 years of experience ensuring the education of vulnerable youth through programs emphasizing prevention, re-entry, reinsertion and projection, transforming their quality of life and social inclusion.  Sumate works with children who currently live in poverty and societal exclusion, adapting its educational methods to the social and learning needs of each child.

“Our 14 social programs serve over 2,305 youth per year inspiring them to reach beyond their current circumstances, increase their value to society, prevent dropout and complete their education.  With the assistance of musical instruction, many will continue to pursue higher education.  We are deeply grateful for the generosity of organizations like yours in Sarasota that inspire the world to reach for something better,” said Hector H. Sagredo, President of Hogar de Cristo USA.

 “We were lucky indeed” because key person who introduced us Dereck and Everett was Francisca Mendoza, well-known international violinist that we met at Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery Miami on August 2017 where we organized Roberto Bravo’s piano presentation. Also she was the violinist who brilliantly performed at Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery in Miami, event carried out on August 30th 2018.

Total 53 violins will be donated to benefit vulnerable children/youth throughout Chile in schools teaching music. Total 11 schools. Estimated direct impact 1,000 children and indirect 77,000 people.

We are coordinating with a friendly NGO “Desafío Levantemos Chile” to proper deliver mentioned violins. The schools are located in: Copiapó, Paihuano, Rapa Nui (Eastern Island), Talca, Linares, Lota, Curanilahue, Quemchi, Queilen and Santiago (Súmate schoolds).