Hi, I'm Lauren Schwartz and I'm a music teacher at the Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco. In my classroom, I have drum sets, bass guitars, electric guitars, keyboards, acoustic guitars, and ukuleles. My students get to play whichever instrument they are drawn to, and when school is in session, my classroom is like a magical musical wonderland filled with learning, collaboration, hope, and joy. I have enough instruments for all of my students to play while they are in the classroom, but I don't have any instruments to send the students home with.

Very few of my students have their own instruments. Many of my students would love to have their own instrument, and instruments can be expensive. There have been so many times when I have witnessed a student struggling through a chord progression for a song and they finally work through it. The smiles of pride on their faces are priceless. I see the satisfaction and happiness on their faces and then I see the expression that says, "I want more." If they have nothing at home to practice on, the only time that they have to practice is in class, and that only happens a few times a week.

Having your own musical instrument should not be a luxury, and yet it would be considered a luxury to many of my students. This is where you come in. When I see a student working super hard and they ask me about getting an instrument of their own, I want to be able to do that for them. I can do that with your help.

In addition to being the music teacher, I am also the GSA club leader. Let me explain a little more about the GSA club. We have created a space at our school where students who are LGBTQI+ can hang out with each other, talk, let their guard down, share stories, and have community meals. The group means a lot to our students and I feel so grateful to be able to facilitate our Tuesday lunchtime meetings. This is a group of awesome students who are just figuring out who they are. They are very brave and loving, and I believe that the GSA club is a place where they can just take a deep breath and be themselves. Part of your donation would go to our community meals.

Would you be willing to help me honor my students by supporting this fundraiser? I believe in the power of love, music, and food, and I am personally contributing $200.

Any support will be appreciated. Please feel free to share this with other people who want to spread the love by donating to my fundraiser.

Love and Respect,

Lauren Schwartz