KYLE — After learning that there was a need for more band instruments for students at schools within Hays CISD, Kyle City Council member Miguel Zuniga is partnering with VFW Post 12058 to host a collection drive through next spring.
“There's just such a demand for more kids getting interested in band and this is at the middle school level. And [a local middle school principal] said that one thing that would help would be that if we could find band instruments to donate to the kids that are unable to afford one.
Even the kids who are in band, maybe it gets a little bit cost prohibitive because they have to maintain and rent the instruments. So, if we were able to find good condition band instruments that would help keep kids more motivated to join band,” Zuniga explained.
The council member started to look into what he and the community could do to help the local students; therefore, he launched the idea that is similar to coat drives or bicycle drives, but for band instruments.
“What we're doing is basically asking throughout the community to let residents know that if they have a band instrument that their kid is no longer using, or something that they might just have sitting around, that one thing that they could do with it is donate it,” he said. “By donating it, we're able to get it back into the hands of kids that are in need of them.”
Having this kind of initiative is important because it helps the community stay involved, but also informed with what’s happening in the local schools, Zuniga said, while also ensuring that students can continue to pursue something they love to do.
“Kids who enjoy music and band are able to be creative. It helps with their emotional, physical performance and attendance in school,” Zuniga said.
“It helps them stay involved with the extracurriculars and it just improves the education all around for the students.”
The drive accepts any band instruments, and even other bandrelated items including flip folders and reeds, that are usable and in good working condition.
However, if donors provide instruments that are damaged, Zuniga said that there is a possibility that they could partner with a band company to repair them or receive a credit rebate that is invested back into the school district.
“If they're not in a great condition, I think we could get some credit rebate, so that we can donate that money back to the band department. It's kind of like a win-win, no matter what we get … They're actually very popular items to recycle back into the school district and communities,” Zuniga said.
“Right now, the way that it works is, I think, that the band company rents out instruments for a certain amount.
The district then budgets for a certain amount and that's how they're able to offset the cost. I know that at the end of band season, [if] kids decide to no longer be in music, since they're renting it, it stays back with the company. There are some kids that prefer to buy their own, then they get tired of band or they choose something else that they want and so, that band instrument that they purchased is what we're trying to find.”
The band instruments — and other items — will go directly to students within Hays CISD to help out students in middle school and high school. By the time the drive closes, which is anticipated to be in April 2025, Zuniga said that he hopes to get at least 10 instruments; then, they will contact the schools to find where the need is.
Those who are interested in donating can drop off the instruments at VFW Post 12058, located at 107 Veterans Drive, Kyle.
It is requested that there is a tag on the instruments with 'Attention: Steven Cook or Miguel Zuniga.'
