Popular Musical Instrument Lending Library
program expands to Halifax Public
Libraries
HALIFAX, July 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Maritimers will be humming
a different kind of tune today as residents of the Halifax area will now be able to borrow
musical instruments from the Halifax Public Libraries, free of
charge. Similar to taking out a book, the Sun Life Financial
Musical Instrument Lending Library program allows anyone with a
valid library card the opportunity to borrow a wide range of
musical instruments such as guitars, banjos, and drums, to name a
few.
Halifax is the ninth city in
Canada to benefit from this
innovative initiative. Through the program, over three million
library cardholders across Canada
now have access to musical instruments.
"Music is a large part of the Maritime spirit and we're so
excited to be able to bring this program to Halifax. Music has the ability to connect us
with one another, while allowing us to express ourselves on a
deeper level," said Paul Joliat,
Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Sun Life
Financial. "At Sun Life, our Purpose is to help our Clients achieve
lifetime financial security and live healthier lives which is why
we are thrilled to allow more Canadians the opportunity to
experience the joy of making music."
Sun Life Financial (Sun Life) is making a philanthropic donation
of $140,000 to the Halifax Public
Libraries to fund the program's operating costs. In addition to
donating 150 guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, violins, drums,
and portable keyboards, Sun Life has also created a series of
videos to assist with the use, care and enjoyment of the
instruments. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned
musician, the program is perfect for anyone looking to explore the
vast world of music.
The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library is an
integral part of the company's philanthropic support of arts and
culture through Sun Life's award-winning Making the Arts More
AccessibleTM program. Sun Life believes arts
and culture should be celebrated within our communities and made
available to everyone, regardless of their means.
"A public library is a place of possibility, where our community
feels encouraged to explore and participate in activities that fuel
their passions and interests," said Åsa Kachan, Chief Librarian and
CEO for Halifax Public Libraries. "Music brings tremendous value to
people's lives. When someone plays an instrument for the first
time, or a musician curiously borrows a new type of instrument, we
are encouraging community members to find new ways of learning and
expressing themselves."
The Halifax Public Libraries will also be holding a musical
instrument donation drive running from July
11 to August 11 to add to the collection so that more people
will have access to instruments. Residents of the Halifax region may drop off their donations of
new or gently used guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, violins,
drums, and portable keyboards at any Halifax Public Library branch.
Please visit halifaxpubliclibraries.ca for more information.
The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library was
first launched at the Toronto Public Library, expanding to the
Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Kitchener, Ottawa, Fredericton and Regina Public Libraries and
has been an overwhelming success.
Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life
Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier
communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring
Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is
an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe
that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and
work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients,
Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support
focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes
awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our
Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and arts and
culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More
Accessible TM program. We also partner with sports
properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and
active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in
volunteering over 29,000 hours each year and contribute to making
life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Read more about Sun Life Financial in
the community.
About Halifax Public Libraries
At Halifax Public
Libraries, people are at the heart of all we do. We believe every
individual in our community wants to thrive and contribute.
Supporting this collective growth is why we exist. Comprised of 14
branches, Halifax Public Libraries serves the over 400,000
residents of Halifax with our
collection of close to 1 million items and a wide range of services
creating dynamic public spaces for everyone. By building on our
commitment to access, diversity, service, and technology, Halifax
Public Libraries attracts more than 3.6 million in-person visits
each year. Reflecting our community, we are a resource for everyone
and a launch point for growth.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.
Media Relations Contacts:
Hannah Stewart
Senior Communications Specialist
Sun Life Financial
t. 647.256.2136
hannah.stewart@sunlife.com
Kasia Morrison
Communications Officer
Halifax Public Libraries
t. 902-490-5852
morrisk@halifax.ca
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada