Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack and his wife Lisa today announced they will donate $500,000 to the Fort Wayne Community Schools Foundation “b instrumental” program.”

The “Chuck and Lisa Surack and Sweetwater Challenge” will match donations from the community and officially launches a $3 million fundraising campaign for the “b instrumental” program. Started two years ago, the program provides musical instruments to middle school students to use throughout high school, along with added instruction and other enrichment activities.

A successful campaign raising $3 million will allow the foundation to purchase 4,000 to 5,000 instruments over 12 years, as well as cover refurbishing and repairs. The couple also donated 100 musical instruments, which were presented at today’s media event at North Side High School.

Chuck Surack remarked, “As a musician who got his start in FWCS music programs, I’ve experienced how important involvement in music education is to creating fully rounded and successful individuals. What I learned as a music student has sustained me throughout my life. Both in my business career and my personal life, music has been incredibly important. That’s why my wife Lisa and I are committed to this campaign to significantly increase the number of students involved in music at Fort Wayne Community Schools.”

FWCS Superintendent Dr. Wendy Robinson said the district has committed $1.5 million, in addition to the $3 million campaign, to the “b instrumental” program. “We are extremely thankful for the generosity of Chuck and Lisa Surack, as well as other individuals, businesses and foundations who support this initiative. Research shows that studying music also helps youths excel in their educational careers and in the workplace, as they work together better in groups, follow instructions and persevere through setbacks. We are so fortunate to live in a community where business people invest in our future, and we truly appreciate Chuck and Lisa leading the way.”