VANCOUVER, Nov. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial is teaming up with the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) to kick off a four-week musical instrument drive and individual monetary donation matching program.

The SoM is seeking donations of new or gently used musical instruments starting today, November 16, 2015 until December 12, 2015. Anyone who donates an instrument has the chance to win a personal experience with Grammy and Juno Award-winning Canadian music icon Sarah McLachlan in Vancouver.

"This musical instrument drive is a perfect way to connect the community, putting instruments into the hands of deserving and eager students," said Rob Appleton, Executive Director, Sarah McLachlan School of Music. "We hope people will dig through their basements and storage lockers and donate used instruments - giving the gift of music."

Some of the instruments the SoM is currently in need of include:

Percussion instruments Guitars Portable keyboards

Banjos Mallets Violins and Fiddles

Throughout the musical instrument drive, Sun Life Financial will be matching individual monetary donations made to the SoM dollar-for-dollar, up to a total maximum of $25,000.

Visit www.sarahschoolofmusic.com/donate to learn more about how to make a monetary or musical instrument donation.

"We've seen first-hand the amazing impact music can have on the lives of children and youth. It inspires and builds resilience, confidence and hope," said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy & Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "We are committed to supporting charitable organizations such as the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which provides students with opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have."

In October 2014, Sun Life Financial announced a three-year relationship with the SoM, supporting Sarah McLachlan's vision of making a difference by bringing music to the lives of young people. The SoM reflects the core goal of Sun Life Financial's signature Making the Arts More Accessible™ program; providing Canadians the opportunity to enjoy the very best of our country's arts and cultural community, regardless of their financial means.

FAST FACTS:

• 2002 - Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program was established as part of a pilot program, which became the Sarah McLachlan School of Music
• Currently, 519 on-site program spots at the SoM and 592 off-site program spots
• October 2014 - Sun Life Financial announced a three-year, $300,000 relationship with the SoM
• In 2014 Sun Life Financial donated $1.8 million to various arts and cultural organizations across Canada

About the Sarah McLachlan School of Music

The Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) provides top quality music instruction at no cost, in a safe and nurturing environment, for at-risk and underserved children and youth in grades 4-12. SoM reaches hundreds of students every year, providing them with the space and tools they need to express themselves. The school offers them a community to cultivate healthy relationships, connect and collaborate with others and with themselves, develop the skills they need to explore their creative potential, and ultimately build confidence.

About Sun Life Financial

Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2015, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $846 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars 

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.

Image with caption: "Sarah McLachlan, Sun Life Financial's Paul Joliat, and students Zabrina, Mattias and Seven, kick off a musical instrument drive and individual monetary donation matching program in support of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151116_C9274_PHOTO_EN_44451.jpg