East Boston-based nonprofit celebrates community and raises funds for creative programs
East Boston, MA – On Sunday, July 14, ZUMIX will host its annual Walk for Music. ZUMIX community members and other participants will walk through East Boston’s parks to support ZUMIX’s award-winning music and youth empowerment programs. The event will begin at 260 Sumner Street in East Boston, and will run from 3-6 pm, including registration at the ZUMIX Firehouse and the walk itself, starting at 4 pm. Festivities will continue with a free ZUMIX Summer Concert in Piers Park, also a part of the annual Eastie Week celebration spearheaded by Boston Harbor Now.
ZUMIX is excited to welcome several Boston-area politicians to the 2024 Walk, including State Senator Lydia Edwards; City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune; State Representative Adrian Madaro, a ZUMIX alumnus; and East Boston native Gabriela Coletta Zapata, City Councilor for District 1.
Created as a response to the need for high-quality music programming in Boston’s schools and communities, ZUMIX has served young people in the city of Boston and surrounding areas for 33 years. The Walk for Music has historically been an afternoon of music, celebration, and community for local music organizations. This year’s event will highlight the neighborhoods and green spaces of East Boston, including Piers Park, Bremen Street Park, and the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway. Walkers can sign up to walk or fundraise in advance on the event page at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/zumix-inc/walk-for-music-2024.
“Walk for Music is one of the best days for ZUMIX every year,” said Madeleine Steczynski, co-founder and executive director of ZUMIX. “It’s a time to gather together, celebrate our work, and spread the word about how music and the creative arts can empower young people and transform their lives and communities.”
Walk for Music is one of ZUMIX’s largest annual fundraisers, allowing the organization to keep its creative programs free and low-cost and serve more than 1,000 youth each year. ZUMIX offers programs for young people ages 7-18 in songwriting and performance, creative media and technology, musical theater, private lesson instruction, and instrumental ensembles.
On Sunday, July 14 at 3 pm, walkers will gather at the ZUMIX Firehouse at 260 Sumner Street for registration and begin the walk. In case of inclement weather, the concert and celebration after the walk will take place at the ZUMIX Firehouse.
To donate, please visit https://secure.givelively.org/donate/zumix-inc/walk-for-music-2024, text WALKFORMUSIC to 44-321, or send a check made out to ZUMIX to 260 Sumner Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. To sign up to walk, visit the GiveLively page above or sign up in person at ZUMIX.
About ZUMIX
ZUMIX’s mission is to empower young people to build successful futures for themselves – transforming lives and community through music, technology, and creative employment. ZUMIX works with more than 1,000 young people ages 7-18 each year. Free and low-cost programs are offered out-of-school in instrumental music, songwriting, performance, radio, audio engineering, and audio and video storytelling. ZUMIX also partners with local schools to bring arts education opportunities to Boston’s youth. In addition to youth programs, ZUMIX offers free concerts and events for all ages. For more information, visit www.zumix.org.
Originally published June 11, 2024