The Strings in Need organization in Lakeland is making plans to expand to its very own building.
- Strings in Need organization looking to expand operations
- Strings in Need provides donated instruments & lessons to students
- Organization planning to expand to building
Student Rebeccah Lipson came up with the idea after attending a 7th grade band camp. An instructor told her about a student who had a very expensive violin but didn’t really use it or take care of it.
That got her to thinking about the how young people, who would love an instrument and music lessons, can’t afford them.
"And there are a lot of students who have a lot of passion and they don't have resources,” she said. “And it was a big deal and I wanted to make a foundation to cover that issue."
Rebeccah’s mom connected her with Debbie Hurta, who helped Rebeccah come up with the plan for Strings in Need. It would provide donated instruments to students and provide lessons on a sliding scale based on income.
Strings in Need raised 30-thousand dollars and began providing instruments and lessons at recreation centers and at Hurta’s home. However, they have run out of space.
Strings in Need is hoping to raise 120-thousand dollars to renovate the old Poly Prims building on Missouri Avenue in downtown. It would be able to provide up to 200 weekly lessons at the location.
The lessons wouldn’t be just be for children.
"We are hoping to be able to reach senior citizens and mommy-and-me programs,” said Hurta. “Potentially home schoolers as well. And we really have a heart for working with special needs kids too,” she said.
Rebeccah said she is surprised at how far her idea has come.
“It's so exciting. It's so amazing I can't believe it,” she said.