LOGAN SQUARE — An award-winning teacher at Darwin Elementary is at it again.
Joe “Mr. P” Panganiban, who won his school a $30,000 national grant last September, hopes to score his kids instruments for a ukulele ensemble at Darwin’s successful music program.
The “C'mon! 'Uke' 'n Do It!” fundraiser has already attracted 30 donors who have pitched in about $2,400, but the DonorsChoose campaign still had to raise about $1,500 as of Monday afternoon.
The music program at Darwin Elementary, a Logan Square magnet school at 3116 W. Belden Ave., hopes to raise enough funds for 20 ukuleles — a mix of concert, baritone and soprano instruments — along with hard shell cases for around 100 students in grades 3-5.
The 26-year-old Panganiban knows how fundraising can work, since his own job is a product of the community coming together to raise money for the school. He became the music teacher at Darwin thanks to fundraisers in 2011 after budget constraints slashed the school's music program eight years ago.
“Our music department and our students’ thirst for more music education has grown exponentially since the reinstatement of the music program,” wrote Panganiban, known as “Mr. P” by students and parents. “I was fortunate enough to purchase a few ukuleles shared by students … and after 2 years of use, the students have become very proficient with the instruments.”
“We currently also offer many performance opportunities and have been recognized for our efforts. However, these programs depend on the generosity of philanthropic persons to continue to grow,” he said.
The school’s band was on display in September 2013 as VH1’s Save the Music Foundation awarded Panganiban and his students $30,000. It was the third grant Panganiban won for the school, which he estimated brought the school 50 ukuleles, 30 guitars and a step closer to the school’s dream of playing in Canada.
Panganiban’s donation request and a full list of expenses for the ukulele ensemble can be found here.
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