Last week, Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors (YCAN) was presented with a check for $500 from the Harrison Middle School Music Boosters.  The students involved in this group decided to give money raised through the festival hosted in Yarmouth this year to help their own community.  Understanding that YCAN’s programs benefit kids and families in need within the Yarmouth Community, the group chose to give the money raised by the festival to YCAN.

We reached out to Kimberly Grover, Harrison Middle School’s (HMS) music teacher and choral director to describe how YCAN was selected for this donation. “Harrison Middle School hosted the MMEA (Maine Music Educators Association) District II Instrumental and Vocal Honors Festival Auditions for middle school and high school for the last two years.  Because this is such a large event to host, District II gives the host school $500.00 for hosting. Most host schools put this money into their music budget.  Because our music boosters work so hard and fundraise for the music department at Yarmouth’s Got Talent, we decided to let our HMS and YHS (Yarmouth High School) Student Volunteers (who worked at the auditions) instead choose a charity to donate the $500,” she explained.

“This year our student music volunteers chose to donate the money to YCAN.  The money was not earmarked to go toward anything specific, but left to the discretion of YCAN to help Yarmouth’s citizens with whatever needs are the greatest in the community,” she finished.

Upon hearing this story, each of the YCAN board members expressed not only gratitude and thanks but respect for these students. “It’s so encouraging that the younger generation will invest in the  welfare of those WHO need it most in the community,” was the expression from more than one board member.

Hats off and huge thanks to the student volunteers and Music Boosters from Harrison Middle School and Yarmouth High School for their generous donation to YCAN .