74.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsThriving Charity Advocates Donates $30,000 to Partners for Strings

Thriving Charity Advocates Donates $30,000 to Partners for Strings

The Partners for Strings Orchestra: FIRST ROW (L-R): Theodore Reid, Alliah Jean, Isabella Thomas, Kadmiel Warrell, Zuri Willis, Brooklynn Craker and Jaiya Ramos. SECOND ROW (L-R): Aaliyah Paul, Jacobs Mills, Le’Quan Lake, Kichard Jean, Gabrielle Baa, Zuri-Elyse Christian, Aniyah Paul, and Melenie Shelford. THIRD ROW (L-R): Shawntell Henry, Moriah Craker, Amera Paul, Zaiden Norman, and Maykaiya Smith. FAR RIGHT (L-R): Urbane Chinnery (One of PFS’s Teaching Artists and the Orchestra Conductor) and Maykaijah Smith. [Submitteed photo)
Partners for Strings Inc. (PFS), a 501(c)(3) organization based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, recently received another major donation from one of its generous supporters.  Thriving Charity Advocates LLC., an EDC beneficiary on St. Thomas, donated $30,000 towards the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra. The orchestra provides a free after-school music program for ages 6 to 17. The program is currently active on St. Thomas, but it plans to expand to St. Croix.

Thriving Charity Advocates (TCA) is led by award-winning music producers Wesley Campbell and David Wagner.  Thriving Charity Advocates impacts the forgotten, marginalized and poor by connecting artists, tours and live events with humanitarian organizations to leverage the stage and empower audiences to raise the funds necessary to change lives in a tangible way.  The donation was presented by Lauryl Knowles, office manager of Thriving Charity Advocates; and Evangeline Cuadra, a legal assistant with Marjorie Rawls Roberts P.C.; Thriving Charity Advocates Board of Directors; Gloria Gumbs; James H. Gumbs Jr. and Priscilla Lynn accepted the donation.

Moriah Craker plays saxophone with Partners for Strings VI Youth Orchestra. (Submitted photo)

Knowles read a letter from Thriving Charity Advocates president Wesley Campbell.  “Having spent my entire career working in the music industry, I understand the value of the next generation of musicians and supporting their creativity.  When we learned of the opportunities that Partners for Strings provides to children here in the St. Thomas area, we knew that we had to be a part of supporting their efforts.  …We look forward to continuing to hear of the impact this organization has on children here on the island.”

Knowles also accepted an award of gratitude from Partners for Strings on behalf of Thriving Charity Advocates.

Partners for String’s president Gloria Gumbs said, “We have national and local partners to ensure that our young participants grow in music and have opportunities to impact the community.  Miami Music Project, which has been operating socially-transformative music education programming in Miami-Dade County for the past 13 years, is PFS’s Strategic Alliance Partner, providing the model and support for our orchestra-based programs.  The Virgin Islands Housing Authority has partnered with PFS to give our youth an outlet to perform at its seasonal Community Health and Wellness Day events.”

Zuri Willis plays violin with Partners for Strings Youth Orchestra. (Submitted photo)

The weekly orchestra sessions are held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at G-Clef Music Academy in Mandela Circle.  Participating youth learn how to play the violin, cello, flute, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, steel pan, drums and other percussion instruments.

Other Partners for Strings sponsors include Discover Fund Management, G-Clef Music Academy and Street Level VI.  For more information, visit www.partnersforstrings.org

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.