Denis McKinnon, co-founder of Bravo for Kids addresses the
audience at the 2007 presentation ceremony at Pensacola Junior College.

A non-profit community project in Pensacola, Florida
which assisted music education in area schools for four years,
from 2004 through 2007.

Made up of volunteers from the business and music education communities, Bravo for Kids raised money to buy instruments for middle school music programs in need.

It also collected donations of used instruments which were refurbished and gifted to the schools.

The original goal, created at a dinner meeting between Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul and retired banker Denis McKinnon, was to add instruments to one music room in the north end of Escambia County at Carver Century School which was done in the first year.

The goals were subsequently expanded to include all of the middle schools in Escambia and, following that, all of the middle schools in Santa Rosa County.

After extensively exceeding goals for four years and realizing the existence of so many other needs within the community the Board of Directors elected to pronounce the mission accomplished and close the corporation effective 12/31/07.

The organization can claim that almost a quarter of a million dollars at wholesale cost in new musical instruments were gifted to the two counties, Escambia and Santa Rosa, over the four years.

Seventeen middle schools now have badly needed instruments which will last for decades, providing opportunities for children.

Donors spread the spectrum of large and small, from a single $113,000 gift from Impact 100 to $10 gifts from supportive residents.

In addition, the Escambia County School Board awarded "Bravo" $10,000 per year in matching funds for each of the four years. In a move of continued support for school music the Board elected to continue that same funding for 2008 and beyond.

"Bravo" operated without overhead and was capable of purchasing instruments through the local music dealers Dollarhide's Music Center and Schmidt's Music at wholesale cost which made maximum use of donated funds.

Bravo for Kids owes a debt of gratitude to all volunteers, donors and the two musical instrument dealers in Pensacola and their staffs who gave unselfishly of their time and money to support this worthwhile cause.

While substantial gains were made in support of school music during those four years the needs will continue. The "Bravo" Board of Directors urges all who are capable to continue to support music education in every way possible by contacting your local school board directly to contribute time, money and instruments. In the Pensacola Metro Area that would include www.escambia.k12.fl.us and www.santarosa.k12.fl.us .

"For many children a band or orchestra class is the key to self-esteem and socialization, not to mention the lifelong benefits of learning to play an instrument." Roger F. Dollarhide, 1912-1995

Volunteers at the first delivery of instruments in 2004 to Carver-Century School.
Back: Tom Ewing, Rick Glaze, Dr. Sandra Durr, Margaret Dollarhide, Don Snowden.
Front: Bill Dollarhide, Michael Dean.

Bravo for Kids
41 South Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
(800) 330-9897
bravo@bravoforkids.org

Bravo for Kids was an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit 
organization and all donations were tax-deductible.