ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Allentown School District middle school has some new musical instruments, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Treasury’s unclaimed property program.
On Thursday state Treasurer Stacy Garrity donated musical instruments that were part of Treasury’s unclaimed property program to the Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Treasury.
The Treasury said PAMPS connected with the Harrison-Morton Middle School in the Allentown School District whose students will benefit from the instrument donation.
Thursday’s donation included a keyboard, violin, cello, eight guitars, a tom and snare drum and some cases and accessories, with a total value of approximately $1,600, according to the Treasury.
The instruments have been in Treasury’s care as part of the unclaimed property program reported by police departments and colleges, according to the news release.
When items have an unknown owner and cannot be returned to a rightful owner, Treasury says it can donate the property.
The Treasury said it has made similar donations to nonprofits several times in the past, including earlier this year.
In addition to the musical instruments, the Treasury said its vault safeguards thousands of items such as jewelry, coins and collectibles, most often the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes.
Unclaimed property also commonly includes things like dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks and more.
“It’s truly inspiring to support young musicians by donating musical instruments that were sitting in our vault as unclaimed property,” Treasurer Garrity said.
“By partnering with the Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society, we are able to reach students whose lives can be positively impacted through the power of music.”
Representatives from PAMPS and the Allentown School District traveled to Harrisburg to receive the donation and toured Treasury’s vault, according to the news release.
“Although we host and help present concerts in the Lehigh Valley area, we believe that our most important mission is the last one: supporting young musicians,” said David Follweiler, PAMPS Secretary.
“That’s why we were so pleased that Treasurer Garrity and her staff offered several musical instruments from their unclaimed property vault. We feel that this is an example of good government at its best!”
“Thank you to Treasurer Garrity and PA Music Preservation Society for donating instruments to the Allentown School District for our Harrison-Morton Middle School students,” said Jessika Gross, Harrison-Morton Middle School Band & Orchestra Director.
“This incredible gift allows us to lend instruments to more young musicians, remove financial barriers, and expand our music program at HMMS. We are so grateful for your investment in our kids!”
Treasurer Garrity has returned more than $1 billion in unclaimed property and is working to return over $5 billion that is currently waiting to be claimed, the Treasury said.
According to the Treasury, more than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth over $1,000.
PAMPS is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to support traditional and emerging Pennsylvania musicians, promote and preserve Pennsylvania’s musical heritage and ongoing musical contributions, and support youth music activity and education.
To learn more about unclaimed property or to search Treasury’s database, people can visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.