I have some good news about the KMEA Fund. We participated in the Greater Salina Community Foundation's Match Madness and did well! We had eight families donate $2,297.20 and had it matched with $690.00 for a total addition $2,987.20 to our Fund total. Realizing a 30% bump to our donations because of the Match is very special. The percentage was lower this year because the total gifts to Match Madness set a new record. The donors to the KMEA Fund were Elaine Bernstorf, Dana Hamant, Greg Gooden, Gayle & Jane McMillen, Steve & Frances Oare, Elise Peterson, William Schick, and David Will. The gifts ranged from $50 and up, each gift contributing to the total.

We now have right at $90,000 in the KMEA Fund, enough to fully underwrite our existing scholarships and start developing new scholarships or grants. Your KMEA Board is assigning a committee that will be developing guidelines for application and rewarding future grants. What an exciting time!

I hope that when next years' ISW rolls around, I can have a fistful of checks from all around the state to take advantage of that upcoming Match Madness. Of course, you aren't limited to donating just in February. Feel free to send a check designated for the KMEA Fund to John Taylor, 614 N. Parkdale, Wichita, KS, 67212, at any time. If we all pitch in and support the KMEA Fund, we can even better serve Kansas' music students.