The Pick Me Up Foundation

From Fox 5 News

COLUMBIA, Md. – Here is a follow up to a story we brought you earlier this year. It is the story of a family’s heartache. But they are creating hope for others out of their own loss.

Aaron Reed had an ear for music and a generous heart.

“He was always willing to lend an instrument out,” said his father Brian. “If someone didn’t know how to play an instrument, he got really excited if they wanted to learn how to play.”

Aaron died suddenly last February. He had been living in Buffalo, N.Y. Days later, his dad went to retrieve Aaron’s belongings, including his music equipment.

Brian Reed returned home to Columbia, Md. But someone broke into the van while it was parked in the driveway and stole everything.

Police never solved the crime.

“If anyone has them, drop them off tomorrow,” Brian said. “We’ll take them. No questions asked.”

Aaron’s family has started a foundation.

“The foundation is named after the song Aaron and his friends in Buffalo were working on called ‘Pick Me Up,’” Aaron’s father explained.

They are collecting used instruments.

“We’re going to have them reconditioned and put them in the hands of under resourced kids who wouldn’t have the opportunity to play music,” said Brian.

They will be collecting at Kings Contrivance Village Center in Columbia on Saturday.

“To take a tragedy and try to make something good about it is tremendously therapeutic for our family,” he said.

The foundation’s big drive is this weekend, but they want to keep the instrument donations coming in. In fact, they have teamed up with a business called Music and Arts.

“They’ve opened up their stores in Howard County, Arundel Mills, Ellicott City and Laurel to accept instruments,” said Brian.

They are proud that Aaron’s spirit will live on.

“I have a saying: ‘Eyes forward,’” Brian told us. “Look forward. What happened in the past can change. If it’s negative, it’s just going to be a sea anchor on your leg. So we want to look ahead.”

If you want to donate an instrument or help The Pick Me Up Foundation, you can find all of the information at thepickmeupfoundation.com.

Watch the video here: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/27454522/md-familys-heartbreak-foundation-music-instruments-those-in-need