VANCOUVER,
June 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Vancouver residents will now have access to
the city's first musical instrument library - the Sun Life
Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library. Sun Life Financial
and the Vancouver Public Library announced the launch of this
innovative free program that will provide people with the
opportunity to borrow a variety of instruments.
Sun Life has donated $130,000 as
well as 100 instruments including guitars, ukuleles, violins and
portable keyboard to establish the program. A special series of
short videos have also been created by Sun Life to assist
individuals with the use, care and enjoyment of the instruments.
Whether you're a beginner picking up an instrument for the first
time or a seasoned musician, this program is designed for anyone
looking to explore the world of music.
This program is part of a national initiative that will see
similar musical lending libraries launched in cities across
Canada. The Sun Life Financial
Musical Instrument Lending Library was launched in April 2016 at the Parkdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library.
In Vancouver, instruments are
available at the central library downtown and can be borrowed free
of charge with a valid VPL card.
"Music is such an important form of cultural and artistic
expression - we're delighted to be part of supporting the
creativity of Vancouver residents
by making musical instruments more accessible," said Sandra Singh, Chief Librarian, Vancouver Public
Library. "Thanks to the generosity of Sun Life, we're able to open
more doors for Vancouverites to play and experience music - and in
doing so, connect more people to the love of music. It's exciting
to imagine all the music that will be created thanks to the Sun
Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library."
This new program is a natural extension of Sun
Life's support of music education, one that aligns perfectly with
the company's award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™
program. It's Sun Life's belief that arts and culture should be
celebrated within our communities and made available to everyone,
regardless of their means.
"We are thrilled to be bringing this national program to
Vancouver, helping to connect the
community with the power of music," said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President,
Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "We know
first-hand the positive impact music can have on people's lives. It
provides an opportunity for individuals to explore their creative
side while developing new skills."
The library is also conducting a Musical Instrument Donation
Drive running until July
4th. People may drop off their new or gently used
musical instrument donations at any Vancouver Public Library branch
and two participating Long & McQuade locations in Vancouver and Surrey. Please visit www.vpl.ca/instruments
for more information.
The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library was
developed and executed in collaboration with Shaw Saltzberg of
NextStage Entertainment Ltd.
Please click here to view the Mandarin version of this news
release.
About Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Public Library has been dedicated to meeting the lifelong
learning, reading and information needs of Vancouver residents for more than 100 years.
Our vision is an informed, engaged, and connected city. Our mission
is a free place for everyone to discover, create and share ideas
and information. Last year, VPL had more than 6.8 million visits
with patrons borrowing more than 9.3 million items including:
books, ebooks, CDs, DVDs and magazines. Across 21 locations and
online, VPL is the most-visited major urban library per capita in
Canada.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun
Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March
31, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had
total assets under management of $861
billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
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
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada
Image with caption: "The Vancouver Public Library and Sun Life
Financial launch the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending
Library in Vancouver, BC. (CNW
Group/Sun Life Financial Canada)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160607_C9212_PHOTO_EN_44758.jpg
Image with caption: "Hedley's
Jacob Hoggard and Tommy Mac help to kick off the Sun Life
Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library in Vancouver, BC. (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial
Canada)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160607_C9212_PHOTO_EN_44759.jpg