MEDINA, Ohio – There are rescue and adoption agencies in almost every county in the United States. But Medina may have one of the most unique. Instead of animals, this fledgling service rescues musical instruments.
The Western Reserve Instrumental Rescue and Adoption is the brainchild of Doc Loomis, whose family is one of the earliest to settle in Medina County. His ancestors came to the Wadsworth/Granger area in 1815 and he grew up in Granger.
He has fond memories of his own experiences as a musician and band member and was excited when his granddaughters decided to take up instrumental music in school.
Then he learned how much rentals were going to cost and that many families were struggling to rent an instrument for their children. He decided to try to help when he heard about a single mom who had lost her job and couldn’t manage the cost.
“There are a lot of us former musicians who still have our instruments in a closet somewhere and don’t know what to do with them. And I often see them for sale on the internet, and decided I would get them, clean them up and repair them and give them to families who need them,” he said.
Loomis approached a few school districts to ask if they would accept donations like this but they weren’t interested and so, he started the Western Reserve Instrument Rescue & Adoption organization. He is hoping to gain a nonprofit status when he has time to apply, but for now he relies on donors and, if someone needs an instrument that he doesn’t have, he buys it.
“One of our donors asked the other day what we do with the instruments when they come in,” he said. “Generally speaking, we look for repairs that need to be made and any cleaning that needs to be done. We do try to send out a clean and working instrument every time. What once was an office has become the recycling corner of our house.”
A good example is a flute he recently received. “It is beautiful and looks ready to play. But a closer examination found that the pads, those small, soft, circular components that cover the tone holes needed to be replaced. They’re essential for creating an airtight seal, ensuring that when a key is pressed, no air escapes so the flutist can produce the desired notes accurately. So, his project will be to replace them and he will pay the cost himself – which sometimes can be a little daunting for a small town pastor.
A table filled with musical instruments isn’t unusual in the Loomis household.Sam Boye
On its Facebook page the mission is a hint at that: Our instrument rescue effort acquires used band instruments which we provide at no cost to elementary, middle and high school students around Northern Ohio.
“…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God! ”
Loomis is currently pastor of Remsen Christian Church, not far from where he grew up in Granger Township and where he learned to play a number of instruments. Loomis attended Baldwin-Wallace College and earned his bachelor of fine arts in scenic design. He designed for shows in New York and traveled to design for Opryland and the Grand Old Opry where he met his wife-to-be, Ellen.
In 1981, he answered a calling to the ministry beginning in his childhood denomination, the Disciples of Christ, and then as an Anglican where he served as a bishop in the Anglican Mission traveling to countries around the world.
He retired to Medina a few years ago, where he has followed many interests, especially in history and philosophy as you might see on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/docsmedina .
Now that school has begun and band rehearsals are under way, requests have slowed down for awhile, giving time to gather more donations and work to clean and repair instruments. So far this year, they have distributed 50 instruments.
“We would appreciate any donations that can be made so that no kid has to give up the love of playing music because they cannot afford an instrument,” he said. “We are happy to pick up and deliver, and always love it when we can get a photo of the recipients with their very own instruments.”
Those who receive the gifts are just asked for a photo and a promise that if they don’t need the instrument in the future, they will return it.
For more information, go to the Western Reserve Instrument Rescue & Adoption at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565732704013
