The Pick Me Up Foundation

From the Baltimore Sun this morning:

By Jim Joyner,The Baltimore Sun

A Columbia family that endured the death of a son early this year is hoping to extend his musical legacy with a drive to collect instruments for those in need.

The Pick Me Up Foundation, an organization created in memory of Aaron Davis Reed, an aspiring musician who died unexpectedly in January at age 21, is hosting a musical instrument drive Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Kings Contrivance Village Center.

Donated instruments will be repaired and cleaned, and then given to children whose families otherwise could not afford them.

Reed was a 2010 Hammond High School graduate. After his death, his family — parents Brian and Esther Reed and his sister, Julia — worked with others to form the Pick Me Up Foundation, an organization named for an alternative rock song that Aaron Reed had been working on with a group in Boston.

The foundation’s website, thepickmeupfoundation.com, notes that the young artist, who was a founding member of Columbia bands The Runways and New World Commotion, “lived and breathed music.”

His father said Aaron played guitar, piano and drums, and spread his love for music to others.

You can read the full article on the Baltimore Sun website here:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/bs-md-ho-musical-collection-20141116-story.html