Dear Friends,

January is the birth month of a beloved friend of our organization, Beverly A. Rawles.

Several years ago when Beverly pitched the idea of setting up the Beverly A. Rawles Fund for Music Education, or “BAR Fund,” I kiddingly expressed to her that calling anything a “BAR Fund” might give people the wrong idea. She, with her quick wit, replied, “well it could mean Sundae Bar.” We had a good laugh, and, in fact, on occasion met at Graeter’s Ice Cream not too far from where Beverly lived and shared some ice cream together.

Even though Beverly is no longer with us to share an ice cream sundae, her legacy and spirit lives on through the “BAR Fund” and the purposes for which it was created. I was thinking in honor of her birth date we could try a BAR Fundraiser. What if we honored Beverly with the cost of an ice cream sundae (say, $5) to be added to the BAR Fund? I thought this would be an appropriate way to honor the legacy and memory of Beverly, but also, we could band together in support of this important cause that helps students and teachers alike.

If you would like to join me and contribute the value of a sundae to the Bar Fund, there are a couple of ways:

• 1) You can send a check made payable to OMTA and write BAR Fund in the memo. Mail to:  Bruce Piper 7018 Nichols Ln. Johnstown, OH 43031.
• 2) If you prefer an informal option that is electronic, you can Venmo me @Bruce-Piper-1 and I will simply add your donation to mine. You can add an ice cream sundae logo or say Bar Fund. Be aware that this option has no tax benefit.

Sincerely,
Bruce Piper, Treasurer