SAWS Practice-a-thon Fundraiser
Thank you for Practicing for a Great Cause in March 2026! We raised over $12,000!
This was the second year of our SAWS Practice-a-Thon Scholarship Fundraiser.
SAWS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to scholarships, other than a small transaction fee from the 99pledges platform and the gift cards for student prizes. Donations are tax-deductible. Donors will get an auto-generated confirmation from 99pledges that will serve as a tax receipt.
EIN: 91-1351569
2026 Wall of Fame
Top 3 fundraising studios:
Gaye Detzer Studio $1954; Jen Kovarovic $1895; Wynne Neurnberg-Park $1307
Top 3 fundraising students:
Summer Park $957, Davis Miles Steward $817, Remy Radzikkowski $420
Most Minutes:
age 5 and under: Lucille Chau, 39 minutes
6-9 Laura Davis Chaney – 1549 minutes
10-13 Estela Roque Chaney – 1864 minutes
14+ Ildiko Thomas – 1620 minutes
21 Day achievers!
Ellie Beissinger
Margaret Chau
Laura Davis-Chaney
Danny Diehl
Anaïs Greene
Zoya Johnson-Ali
Charlotte Kim
Elliot Knapp
Sebastian Knapp
Nikolas LE
Alan Ma
Avery Neem
Summer Park
Winona Piazza
Estela Roque Chaney
Xóchitl Roque Chaney
Nagisa Saotome
Natsuki Saotome
Una Thomas
Alex Thomas
Zoli Thomas
Ellie Toner
Mei Wang
Hana Zhao
How the Practice a Thon Works
Registration
If possible, register by Friday, February 27. Late signups are welcome, too! Teachers sign up their studio by submitting student names and parent email addresses to SAWS. SAWS will upload this information to 99Pledges, and teachers and parents will receive reminder emails throughout the fundraiser. Email addresses are used only for this purpose.
Fundraising
Students may ask family, friends, and neighbors to sponsor their practice. We suggest a $21 donation ($1 per day), though any amount is welcome. All donations are processed through 99Pledges. To keep things simple, our site accepts flat-fee donations only. Donations may be made between March 2 and April 1. Note: families who are in financial need should NOT personally donate.
Practice Guidelines
Students challenge themselves to practice for 21 days (ideally March 2–22 but other timeframes OK too!). We suggest that a practice is 15 minutes or more. It must be outside of lessons, rehearsals, group classes, orchestra, or chamber music coachings. Students may track practice using the provided calendar or a favorite practice app. Days practiced may simply be checked off, or minutes may be recorded. For very young students, flexibility is encouraged—listening to recordings while playing or coloring may count toward completing the day. Or, if you do best with shorter practices, do just a few minutes! It all adds up.
Submitting Results
Submitting results is optional, but required to be eligible for prizes and recognition. SAWS will email a google form to all participants (parents) in late March.
Prizes & Recognition – must fundraise to be eligible
- Students who complete 21 days and submit results will be featured on the SAWS Wall of Fame (online and in poster form at the Fall Festival!).
- All students who complete 21 days and submit results will be entered into a Shar Music gift card raffle.
- Students who record minutes may compete for Most Minutes Practiced, awarded by age group (5 & under, 6–9, 10–13, 14+), with the top finishers receiving a Shar Music gift card.
- The top three fundraisers, as tracked by 99Pledges, will also receive a gift card.
- The top three fundraising teachers will receive a gift card!
These scholarships matter, and make a big difference in the lives of families in a time when everything feels more and more expensive! Here are some thank you letters from past recipients.
I would like to thank the SAWS membership for helping young musicians, like my two children, to continue developing. It was a joy watching them blossom at OSI. My older son has finally hit a maturity level that he could really receive what his masterclass teacher could offer him. And take to heart what’s required moving into the next phase of his musical path. Both of my children have been really inspired and look forward to going next year. Thank you Mary Beth for your support in making this scholarship possible. Both my kids and I are very grateful. Sincerely, R.K.
I am so incredibly grateful for receiving the scholarship for my teacher training this year. Thank you so so much for supporting me!! Everyone was so loving and helpful, and this money helped me so much to do my Piano and violin Suzuki book one and ECC all this summer. I can’t wait to continue my teacher training and become a closer part of the Suzuki world.
Wishing you all the best, and thank you for your wonderful work and care!
Warm regards
J.B..