In April 2010 the School got a call from a person claiming to be a documentary film producer interested in sending a volunteer into our organization and documenting everything she experienced. After talking it over, Executive Director Frank Graffeo and Director of Music Education Julie Carter agreed to the project, mostly because the producer was fairly sure the School would get national exposure when the show aired. They figured national exposure would bring opportunities for the Joy of Music School. In June, after a lot of preparation, meetings, arrangements and organization, a large video and technical crew finally arrived at the building. The pre-arranged volunteer, Dani, arrived and was given a tour by Frank Graffeo, as cameras rolled, mics listened and the director—huddled over four video monitors in a studio—orchestrated tactical camera angles to his photographers in real time over wireless headsets. It was a big production! As Dani encountered students, parents, staff and volunteers for a full day, she got a very good picture of what we do and how we do it. She cleaned instruments with Julie Carter, assisted in a general music class with our youngest students, and spent some bonding time with a few of our older, college-bound students. Dani returned later in the week for a final recap and farewell, and that’s when the unexpected happened: She confessed to us, cameras rolling, that she was in our midst under false pretenses, that in fact she was not the newly arrived struggling mom she claimed she was. She told those gathered in the room that she’s actually a millionaire, a successful businesswoman and author. Her goal was to experience the work we do firsthand, and to show her appreciation for the good we are doing in the community. Then she presented the School with a check for $40,000. We all burst into tears of joy, hugging and celebrating along with our surprise benefactor.
After Dani said her farewells, the producer revealed that the crew, staff, technicians and director were with ABC Television and that they were shooting a new program called “Secret Millionaire.” We were doubly floored when we learned that Dani’s act of extreme generosity and appreciation would be aired to millions of viewers in prime time on national television.
We are very grateful to Dani, and to the good people at ABC Television. This donation made a big difference at the Joy of Music School. With that gift, we were able to finish the year 2010 within 1% of our budgeted goals. Without this gift, we’d have finished badly in the red, and might have faced cutting programs and services. That kind of support, coming at the time it did, means lots of kids meeting with lots of volunteer teachers, and the shining prospect of even more to come. Thank you, ABC! Thank you, Dani!
The program aired on ABC Television on March 6, 2011.
Here’s the episode online http://abc.go.com/shows/secret-millionaire/video-detail/featured/pl_PL5565359
I’m watching Secret Millionaire on tv right now and am so inspired by the work you do. I hope the national exposure keeps you within your budgeted goals for years & years to come!