To the editor:

In the People section of your Friday, May 15 issue you published an article about a young musician, Axel Edwards, who played his violin in downtown Winslow in order to raise funds for my campaign to assist a Nepali family, Phurpu Tsering Tamang, and his neighboring villagers, to begin the rebuilding process in their village of Shyabru bensi after the recent earthquakes that devastated so many villages.

Axel’s creative approach was part of an effort by the Bainbridge Island Suzuki community to support my GoFundMe campaign. This “practice-a-thon” was initiated by Suzuki music teacher, Keely Sawyer, and she quickly gathered the support of an additional three teachers: Katherine Davies, Priscilla Jones, and Peggy Swingle.

In all, 34 students from four studios practiced over 6,900 minutes and raised $3,225.15. I owe a huge “thank you” to these students, their teachers, studios, and their family and friends who supported this effort.

This campaign is nearing its goal of $15,000 thanks to the Suzuki community and to the open-hearted giving of so many in the broader community: colleagues and current and alum families at Montessori Country School, family and personal friends, First Stage Montessori, Back to Eden Bakery in Portland, as well as other Island residents who just wanted to give.

This outpouring of support will make it possible to begin rebuilding houses and lives in Shyabru bensi, Nepal.

KARLA PIECUCH

Bainbridge Island