Angels collect instruments for children in need

MILFORD — Every year, school bands and orchestras recruit new students, particularly elementary students first joining an ensemble. There are always students who want to participate but whose families cannot afford to buy or rent a musical instrument.

This year, under the direction of Mrs. Cindi Stine, the Odyssey Angel team of the Dingman-Delaware Middle School is collecting used instruments and monetary donations to help needy aspiring musicians realize their dream.

Odyssey Angels is an offshoot of the Odyssey of the Mind (OM), a national program that encourages schools to start teams to carry out service projects for presentation at the annual OM competition. Stine is the first coach at DV to start an Odyssey Angels group.

“I decided to do it last year when we had so many students tryout for a team and not get chosen,” she said.

From this pool of children, she selected hardworking team players.

“Last year we did an Autism Awareness focused project and attended the annual vigil," noted Marissa Dambach, a second year member. "This year’s team is comprised of middle and high school students that all happen to be in one of the instrumental programs.”

So it is only natural that these Angels would want to pay their music education forward to the next generation.

Often times, these cases are, “children who are in the foster care system or who are in the adoption process,” Marisa Dambach said.

“And readers should know that instruments can be used — band or orchestra,” team member Grace Liszka added. “And that the money raised is going to be used to fix the instruments that need it.”

Donations may be made through the beginning of April. Instruments should be marked “DDMS Odyssey Angels” and dropped off at any of the school buildings in the Delaware Valley School District.

To donate to the project, or for more information, visit https://www.gofundme.com/MusicalHeroes.