Community Kicks in Cash to Keep Music Program Healthy

Lonny Whitlow in the middle presents an envelope full of cash to the South Fork High's music program Saundra Stephenson and Paul Schmollinger.

Lonny Whitlow in the middle presents an envelope full of cash to the South Fork High’s music program Saundra Stephenson and Paul Schmollinger. [Photo provided by Lonny Whitlow]

Southern Humboldt residents have been digging deep to help the South Fork High School music program. A few weeks ago, Miranda businessman, Lonny Whitlow posted on Facebook that the “music department is in desperate need of immediate funds.”

He offered to put up $500 to support the program run by Saundra Stephenson and Paul Schmollinger. “Paul and Sandra are now pulling out of their own pocket to put the music room back together, which should never happen,” he wrote. “[M]essage me if you like or come by the shop…I have a collection jar ready for your donations…”

Whitlow said that over the next week, “a bunch of people came in and gave a ton of money…We’re shooting for ten grand.”

He handed the first installment to the music department last week–$2000. But that isn’t all. “There are foundations from up north that are donating,” he said, and businesses in Southern Humboldt that “are cutting checks…[and] I just got another $500 cash today.”

Whitlow explained that the money he gets in cash is going directly to Stephenson and Schmollinger. The checks are being written to the South Fork High School Booster Club with notations that the money is to go to the music program.

“I’m just going to keep this going,” he said. “There is a terrible backlog of instruments that need fixing.”

If you would like to donate, you can stop into Workhorse Welding in Miranda to donate or you can donate directly to the South Fork Booster Club at PO Box 1713, Redway, CA 95560. Please note on the check that the money is for the music department.

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7 Comments
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Wow
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Wow
6 years ago

So awesome! Great job Lonnie!!

Raven Reynolds
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Raven Reynolds
6 years ago

Thank you Lonnie for helping out! Paul and Saundra are incredible people! I’m so glad to see the community help our kids pursue their music education.

Andy Barnett
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Andy Barnett
6 years ago

Lonnie studied music at South Fork, right? A great example of how music education and citizenship are linked. Kids learn the ropes of creative cooperation. That’s the piw2er of music. Invest!

Veterans friend
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Veterans friend
6 years ago

Great job!

FAN OF OUR YOUTH
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FAN OF OUR YOUTH
6 years ago

GOOD STUFF!

Der!
Guest
Der!
6 years ago

I’ll be dropping in with a few hundred. You rock Lonny!

C☆
Guest
C☆
6 years ago

Awesome! Thank you Lonny! And the coming through of local businesses and other community members! I love our little corner of the world for this right here. Community love and support.