White Lake, MI – The 2025 Walk the Beat season officially kicked off on March 17 at The Playhouse at White Lake, uniting students, local non-profits, and community sponsors in a shared celebration of music and support. The event highlighted the impact of the Walk the Beat organization, which fosters musical education and provides resources for young musicians.
A Night of Recognition and Support
Walk the Beat, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through music, was founded by Dave Palmer and the late Ric VanWeelden in Grand Haven. Albion was the next town to join, and this marks the fourth year the event has been hosted in the White Lake area.
During the kickoff, over 10 local non-profit organizations were welcomed to help fundraise for Walk the Beat by selling raffle tickets. Half of the proceeds will support these organizations, while the other half will benefit Walk the Beat’s mission of providing scholarships, instruments, and music lessons to students.
Upcoming Walk the Beat Music Festival
The highlight of the Walk the Beat season will be the annual music festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. This festival showcases local talent, engages the community, and raises additional funds for musical education programs.
Honoring Contributions and Recognizing Leadership
Executive Director Sarah Kane-Smart welcomed attendees and acknowledged the dedication of the Walk the Beat board members, highlighting their efforts in organizing the raffle program, securing instruments, managing finances, coordinating fundraising, overseeing music programming, distributing prizes, handling marketing and social media, and supporting event photography.
Special recognition was given to Kevin Goff, former director of Walk the Beat White Lake Area, whose leadership helped fund scholarships, music lessons, and instrument purchases.
Community Support and Sponsorships
Several sponsors and community groups were honored for their financial contributions, including:
- The Family and Friends of Pete Bennett
- City of Whitehall
- Shelby State Bank
- Montague Foods
- Delmar and Audria M. Olson Family Foundation
- CatchMark Technologies
- Eastbrook Homes
- City of Montague
- Arts Council of White Lake – Nuveen Center
- Aludyne
- Howmet
- Dave Palmer
- Factory Surplus
- Bells Furniture
- Erdman Machine
- Ferguson Family Dentistry
- Fusion Fluid Equipment
- Viking Tool
- White Lake Excavating
- Montague-Whitehall Masons Lodge #198
Student Awards and Scholarships
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of student awards. Young musicians were recognized for their dedication and passion for music, receiving instruments, scholarships, and funding to further their education. A picture with award recipients and their respective honors will be shared alongside this article.
These awards provide young musicians with the tools and opportunities to grow in their craft and pursue their passions.
A Celebration of Music and Community
Walk the Beat’s kickoff event set the tone for another impactful year of supporting young musicians and engaging the community. As Sarah Kane-Smart emphasized, “Music students aren’t always the most visible or celebrated, but this event is about them. It’s their moment to shine.”
With strong community support and a dedicated team, Walk the Beat continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of aspiring musicians. Be sure to mark your calendar for the Walk the Beat Music Festival on July 19 and support local students and non-profits through the raffle fundraiser.
For more information, visit walkthebeat.org or follow Walk the Beat on Facebook and Instagram.
