Fort Wayne, Ind. — Sweetwater has generously made a donation valued at more than $28,000 to Easterseals Northeast Indiana, furthering a long-standing partnership that continues to enrich lives. The majority of the donation consists of a variety of high-quality musical instruments, along with financial support to help grow Easterseals music therapy program, which provides meaningful therapeutic experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“It’s truly our pleasure to help enhance such an impactful program,” said Jeff Ostermann, Sweetwater senior vice president and chief people officer. “We’ve been a longtime supporter of Easterseals Northeast Indiana, and this latest donation will help ensure that hundreds more individuals whom they serve can participate in the healing and hopeful power of music.”
The donated instruments include keyboards, full drum sets, acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, and a wide array of small percussion instruments. These tools will be used to enhance music therapy sessions across multiple Easterseals Northeast Indiana locations, including Fort Wayne, Angola, and Warsaw through a partnership with Cardinal Services. This expansion ensures that individuals in both urban and rural areas will have increased access to creative outlets that support emotional and developmental growth.
Music therapy is a well-established clinical practice that uses music-based interventions to accomplish individualized goals. At Easterseals, the therapy sessions are designed not only for enjoyment but to help participants improve a variety of functional skills. These include fine motor coordination, verbal and nonverbal communication, academic concepts such as counting and patterns, and crucial social skills like cooperation and turn-taking. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of the individuals involved, offering both one-on-one and group settings that foster connection and engagement.
“Music has always been a source of joy and empowerment for our participants,” said Donna Elbrecht, CEO of Easterseals Northeast Indiana. “We have been blessed to have support from Sweetwater for many years, and their ongoing generosity makes an incredible difference. Our participants love everything related to music—playing, singing, dancing—and this opportunity to expand our music therapy program is a perfect synergy of our mission and Sweetwater’s passion for making music accessible to everyone.”
The therapeutic benefits of music are often visible right away. Participants light up during sessions, gaining confidence while engaging with rhythms, melodies, and movement. For many individuals, these sessions are not only fun but also offer a unique way to express themselves and connect with others—sometimes in ways they cannot achieve through words alone.
In addition to directly supporting music therapy, Sweetwater’s gift also includes sponsorships for two major fundraising events hosted by Easterseals Northeast Indiana. These events are vital in raising funds to sustain a wide range of programs and services provided by the organization, including day programs, supported employment, residential services, life skills training, and recreational activities. The sponsorships help ensure that Easterseals can continue offering high-quality care and support to individuals and families across the region.
This generous gift reflects Sweetwater’s continued commitment to community involvement and its belief in the transformative power of music. Through its support, Easterseals Northeast Indiana is empowered to serve more individuals, offer more opportunities, and foster more joy—one note at a time.