(Picture: Leaders from Sweetwater and Easterseals Northeast Indiana celebrated a gift that will establish the Sweetwater Music Room at Easterseals in Fort Wayne. From left: Pete Van Baalen, director of business operations at Sweetwater and Easterseals Northeast Indiana board member; Vickie Lootens, chief community impact officer for Easterseals Northeast Indiana; Donna K. Elbrecht, CEO of Easterseals Northeast Indiana; and Jeff Ostermann, chief people and culture officer at Sweetwater.)
Fort Wayne, Ind. — Sweetwater has provided a gift to Easterseals Northeast Indiana to establish a designated music room at the organization’s Fort Wayne location.
The space, which will be recognized as the Sweetwater Music Room, will be used for group and individual music instruction; music therapy; and additional opportunities for self-expression through creating and listening to music.
Sweetwater has been a generous supporter of Easterseals Northeast Indiana for many years. The partnership has included workforce development initiatives, volunteers, and in-kind gifts of musical instruments and other equipment.
“We are incredibly grateful for everything Sweetwater has done to support Easterseals Northeast Indiana,” said Donna K. Elbrecht, CEO. “Beyond financial gifts, the Sweetwater team has shared their time and expertise as board members and volunteers and helped us create pathways to employment for people with disabilities by creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for many of our participants.”
The gift from Sweetwater will allow Easterseals Northeast Indiana to renovate a space in its Projects Drive building, add soundproofing and purchase additional equipment to supplement musical instruments donated by Sweetwater in 2023.
“Sweetwater has a longstanding commitment to supporting the Easterseals program in Northeast Indiana, and we’re thrilled to help launch the new music room,” said Jeff Ostermann, chief people and culture officer at Sweetwater. “The program’s mission to provide access to music instruction and therapy perfectly aligns with our passion for sharing the transformative power of music with individuals who might not otherwise have that opportunity.”
The new Sweetwater Music Room is expected to be used by more than 250 individuals with disabilities who participate in Easterseals Northeast Indiana programs.
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About Easterseals Northeast Indiana: Easterseals Northeast Indiana empowers people with disabilities and families by providing personalized support, practical resources and innovative opportunities to learn and grow. The organization delivers programs and services that enrich education, enhance health, expand employment and elevate communities throughout the region with locations in Fort Wayne, Columbia City and Angola. To learn more, visit eastersealsnei.org.
About Sweetwater: The number one online retailer for music makers, Sweetwater is trusted and beloved by millions of musicians, audio engineers, teachers, band and orchestra directors, and podcasters who rely on the company to help advance their musical and creative journeys. From beginners to rock stars, music makers everywhere seek out Sweetwater’s industry-leading expertise, including in-depth product videos to inform their purchases and unrivaled post-care support. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and founded in 1979, Sweetwater Sound, LLC credits its four decades of growth to its 2,500 employees and its deep understanding of the profound connection that music makers have with their craft, their gear, and the creative process. Sweetwater is amplifying change through music and lifting up communities by creating, empowering, and caring about the music makers of tomorrow and today. For more information, visit Sweetwater.com.