KENNEWICK, Wash. – Columbia Industries (CI), a mission-based organization committed to supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities and other challenges, is honored to have received a generous $5,000 donation by First Interstate Bank. With their support, the CI Community Center was able to purchase musical instruments to use with their clients during weekly music lessons, led by Ted Brown Music of Richland. Please join the CI Community Center clients and staff on Wednesday, March 8 at 1:00PM to experience a drum circle lesson with Ted Brown Music.
The Community Center is a safe, creative, and supervised place for people with disabilities and barriers to find social connection, life enrichment, and community integration. This partnership with both First Interstate Bank and Ted Brown Music provides CI’s clients with the opportunity to participate in much needed social and physical enrichment activities through the art of music.
“It has been wonderful to see the client’s eyes light up every time they see the new (musical) instruments come out for our drum circle sessions,” said CI Community Center manager, Amy Robinson. “We are so thankful to Ted Brown Music for continuing our client’s musical education as well as First Interstate Bank for their donation to make it all happen!”
In 2019, Amy and her team first established their relationship with First Interstate Bank, who came and taught a painting lesson with the Community Center clients, free of cost. Years later, when First Interstate Bank found they had extra dollars left in their contributions for the 2022 season, and remembering the art session with clients, the bank notified Amy of the opportunity to apply for a grant which she was later awarded.
“Music transcends cultures and abilities, touching the lives of both listeners and participants. The physical and mental growth opportunity provided to our clients through music is tremendous,” said Michael Novakovich, CEO for Columbia Industries. “Music can be healing, educational, and fun – and that’s just what we are looking for in our community center curriculum.”
For more information, and future opportunities for participation, the CI Community Center calendar of events can be found here.
