Manilow delivers musical instruments to Joplin

[October 28, 2011]  JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has come through on his pledge to help schools in Joplin replace musical instruments lost in the tornado that devastated the town last spring.

The Joplin Globe reports (http://bit.ly/tlPNEx) that hundreds of band, choir and orchestra students looked on Thursday as Manilow delivered $300,000 worth of musical instruments for the high school and middle school.

Manilow made the presentation inside a stadium on behalf of the Manilow Music Project, which works to highlight the importance of school music programs.

The singer says he's happy to see the students who will benefit directly from his donation.

The May 22 tornado killed more than 160 people and destroyed thousands of homes as well as businesses and schools in the southwestern Missouri city.

[Associated Press]

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