More than 75 student musicians from North High School participated in the 2018 Harry Chapin Practice-A-Thon and raised a total of $2,045.26 to benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank at Long Island Cares.
The Harry Chapin Practice-A-Thon invites students across New York to participate in this campaign each spring to benefit local food banks. Sponsors pledge a monetary amount of their choice per minute the student practices on their musical instrument throughout the month of March. Students maintain a daily practice log to track their minutes, and donations are collected from April through June.
This is the eighth consecutive year that North High School has participated in the Practice-A-Thon. The student officers of North High Tri-M Chapter 2605 encourage participation in the Practice-A-Thon as part of their commitment to community service.
Joseph Rutkowski, North High’s instrumental music director and advisor of Tri-M Chapter 2605, says he is proud of the many North High musicians who participate each year.
“The opportunity and gift to be able to practice an instrument and perform great music on it is brought to another level when our students demonstrate that they care about others by participating in the Practice-A-Thon for Long Island Cares,” Rutkowski said.
Rutkowski also thanked student teacher Lee Tanner, who helped coordinate North High’s participation in this year’s Practice-a-Thon.
Long Island Cares Chief Executive Officer Paule T. Patcher shared his appreciation for North High’s contribution in a recent letter to Rutkowski.
“With your donation, you have helped change someone’s circumstances,” Patcher wrote. “Thank you for joining us in our mission to ensure that more Long Island children and families do not go hungry and to give people the tools and help they need to get back on their feet.”
