DEARBORN — A grant request for $30,000 to the Dearborn Education Foundation for equipment upgrades for the Fordson High School vocal program led to a donation of$17,000 by philanthropist William Brehm to the district’s choir program.
Brehm — an FHS alumnus and founder of the Brehm Scholars Program which covers the costs of higher education for a select group of FHS graduates — attended the DEF Green Tie event in may, at which FHS vocal ensemble director Matthew Laura’s grant request was spotlighted. Brehm decided to donate $17,000 while the Dearborn Public Schools contributed $6,500 and the DEF the remaining $6,500.
The grant will insure that there is continuity of equipment between the district’s three traditional high schools. In addition, with upgraded recording equipment, the choir can improve its performances as well as submit audition recordings for performance opportunities at local, national, and international events. Also, new risers will give students a safe, stable platform on which to practice their craft.
The Dearborn Public Schools Education Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization created in 1992 by a group of private citizens to serve Dearborn Public Schools. Through teacher grant requests, the DPSEF has raised and returned over $1.7 million to the schools.
For more information about the DEF, and how to donate, go to dearbornedfoundation.org/donate or call 313-827-8790.