Andy’s dream was to give every child who wants to learn to play music an opportunity to do so. 

 

The Andy Mackie Foundation has provided thousands of Free Instruments, Free Lessons and Scholarships to children in Jefferson County Washington and through out the world.  He has helped more than 1000 children learn to play stringed instruments which he built in his shop, taught more than 12,000 children to play harmonica and has given over 75 scholarships to graduating seniors. 

 

"If you stop playing your instrument, pass it along to somebody else who wants to play it."  - Andy Mackie

Andy gave children an opportunity to play on stage by organizing a number of concerts and benefits where they can perform their new skills.  All donations go directly into more instruments, lessons and scholarships.

Andy has been building instruments for 10 years and donating them to public school music classes.  He builds 50 instruments at a time in his shop, and is now teaching high school students in Shop Class to build their own instruments.   Demand for Andy’s instruments has increased beyond the number that he can build himself.

Every November, Andy switched from building instruments to building reindeer from wood he collected himself.  He sold the reindeer at Christmas and Holiday fairs along with his instruments.  All profits from the sale of reindeer went towards the materials needed to build more instruments.