Each year, Zumix participates in Boston’s annual Walk for Music fundraiser, which brings music organizations from all over the city together to help raise money for local arts programs.
Kicking off at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at the Zumix Firehouse, 260 Sumner St., Zumix will participate in the annual Walk for Music for the 17th time.
Over 250 participants will march with Zumix parents, staff, and supporters in hopes of raising the non-profit’s $47,500 goal. Fundraisers and teams supporting this year’s walk have already raised over $31,000 towards that goal.
A few years back Zumix changed the walk up a bit. Instead of walking around the Back Bay and Fens, the walk will begin at 2 p.m. after registration and pep rally at the Firehouse. The walk will then take participants through three of Eastie’s incredible green spaces: Piers Park, the East Boston Greenway, and Bremen Street Park. The route will end in Piers Park on the Boston Harbor waterfront with a concert at 3 p.m. featuring Zumix youth participants.
“By walking and fundraising for team ZUMIX, you’re helping to keep our classes free and low-cost for almost 1,000 youth each year,” said Zumix Director of Advancement Kim Dawson.
Participants who raise $25 or more will receive a free Zumix t-shirt.
The Walk for Music has been an annual staple in Zumix’s calendar for many years and has become a community favorite.
In addition to being a fun event, the Walk for Music is also Zumix’s largest annual fundraiser. The money will help support programs that Zumix offers like teen programming in songwriting and performance, creative technology, community radio, and instrument instruction.
Zumix Founder and Executive Director Madeleine Steczynski said the event has become Zumix’s favorite fundraiser because it involves so many people and gets everyone really excited about supporting a cause that they believe in.
“I want to thank everyone who supports Zumix by walking and donating,” she said. “By walking with us and fundraising for team Zumix, you’re helping to keep our classes free and low-cost for over 1,000 youth each year. Participants who raise $25 or more will receive a free t-shirt and we encourage you to set a goal of $100 or more for youth or $200 or more for adults.”
Founded in 2003, the Walk for Music allows participating team or music program to keep 100 percent of its pledges to support its local music or performing arts program. The Walk was created as a response to the need for high-quality music programming in schools and communities and attracts organizations from throughout the Greater Boston area for an afternoon of music, celebration, and community.
Walkers will gather at the Zumix Firehouse at 260 Sumner St. at 12:30 p.m. for registration and a pep rally, and begin the walk. Anyone who can’t make it to the morning pep rally can meet the group at 3 p.m. in Piers Park for a concert and celebration. In the case of inclement weather, the concert and celebration after the walk will take place at the Zumix Firehouse.
Donations can be made at www.firstgiving.com/event/zumix/Walk-for-Music-2019 or send a check made out to Zumix to 260 Sumner Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. To sign up to walk with Zumix, visit the FirstGiving page provided or sign up in person at Zumix.
Zumix was created to empower youth to use music to make strong, positive change in their lives, their communities, and the world. Since its founding in 1991, the program has grown to serve more than 400 young people every year in programs in instrumental instruction, songwriting and performance, community radio, and creative technology. They serve an additional 400 young people per year through in-school partnerships with East Boston High School and the Umana Middle School Academy. The powerful impact of the program is illustrated by the fact that in the past four years, 92 percent of its graduates enrolled in college.