Bonnaroo proved to be more than just a music event last Wednesday as festival volunteers spent their morning hours at New Union Elementary School in Manchester.
Credit/Copyright: Music For Relief
Thanks to a partnership with Bonnaroo Works Fund (the charitable division of Bonnaroo) and Music for Relief, 25 volunteers completed painting, building and landscaping projects for the pre-kindergarten – 5th grade school through the support of Hands On Nashville.
Established by the rock band Linkin Park in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Since inception in 2005 Music for Relief has raised over $6 million for survivors of multiple disasters across four continents including Hurricane Katrina, China’s Wenchuan earthquake, a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, earthquakes in Haiti and Japan in 2010 and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
MFR has organized benefit concerts, online auctions and events with multi-platinum musicians and celebrities to help rebuild and donate supplies to people in need. Music for Relief has also planted over 1 million trees to help reduce global warming. MFR seeks to bring the music community together to create awareness and raise funds for those in need.
“New Union is an older building nestled between two newer schools, and the work and support provided by this group of volunteers gave us the facelift we needed”, said Principal Michelle Hummel. “We are so grateful for this partnership and look forward to many more opportunities to team up.”
Music for Relief supplied the school with a cafeteria update, picnic tables and landscaping for an outdoor classroom, and a walkway to the gazebo.
“Our mission is to bring the music community together to create positive change,” said Music for Relief’s Chief Operating Officer, Whitney Showler, “and this service day was a perfect example of music lovers giving back to the community.”
Bonnaroo Works Fund was founded in 2009 with a mission of making communities healthy in areas of the arts, education, and environmental sustainability.
“Bonnaroo Works Fund is about giving back to the communities where we work, live and play, and Manchester has always been a priority. We’re proud to be able to show our support in such a meaningful way,” said Nina Miller, Director Bonnaroo Works Fund.
