By John Lynds
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.
On Sunday, April 30 kicking off at 12:30 p.m. at 260 Sumner St., Zumix will participate in the annual Walk for Music for the fourteenth time.
Over 200 participants will march with Zumix parents, staff, and supporters.
This year Zumix is changing it up a bit according to Zumix’s Community and Arts Event Coordinator Jeeyoon Kim.
Instead of walking around the Back Bay Fens, this year’s event will take walkers on a tour of Massport’s pristine parks, including Piers Park, Bremen Street Park, and the city’s Greenway.
“This year is the first year Walk For Music will take place in East Boston, a change that the event organizers and Zumix are pleased about,” said Kim. “We could not be more excited to host the Walk For Music in East Boston for the first time. It’s been an annual staple in our calendar for many years, so to be able to bring the other organizations participating in the Walk For Music to our neighborhood and show off our beautiful green spaces is an honor.”
Kim added that the Walk For Music has become on of her favorite events.
“It’s this beautiful day where everyone from youth participants, their families, staff, volunteers, mentors, and community members can all rally together to support our programs,” she said. “Seeing our participants step up to support ZUMIX and fundraise in a very tangible and quantifiable way is super inspiring!”
In addition to being a fun event, the Walk for Music is also Zumix’s largest annual fundraiser. Zumix’s goal this year is to raise $40,000 to keep their programs free and low-cost for over 1,000 youth. 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.
To donate, visit http://www.firstgiving.com/zumix/walkformusic 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 4 years, 92 percent of its graduates enrolled in college.
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Zumix staff and participants during last year’s annual Walk for Music. Zumix hopes this year’s Walk for Music will raise $40,000 for the popular Eastie youth music program.