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1-800-273-8255

About The Foundation

Our Foundation Donates Musical Instruments To Kids & Youth Programs Across America. Donate Your New or Used Musical Instrument Today (Sorry No Pianos) & Change A Child's Life Forever. We Are A Certified 501 (c) (3) Charity With The IRS. Contact us at wafflesfoundation@gmail.com or (321) 246 - 0335.

This foundation has been created in loving memory of my son Matthew "Waffles" Bahna who left this world on 8/12/19 at the age of 27. The nickname "Waffles" was bestowed on "Matt" in Celebration High School in Florida because he always ate waffles for breakfast. "Waffles was a kind soul who had an affinity for music of all genres. He was a highly skilled musician who could play piano and any stringed instrument as well as read music. "Waffles" was a charming person who mixed a rock star cool with a kind and tender heart. He reveled in playing music and carried his guitar wherever he went. Teaching kids how to play music was something he excelled in because he knew how to make it fun and was able to explain intricate concepts in ways a kid could understand. The world and all of us who loved him lost a special soul when he left the earth; but I as his dad know that he would want us to go on; and the music to never stop.

Our mission statement is to serenade the world with healing music. To inspire optimism, happiness, and hope; to create opportunity and make a difference for kids of all races, colors, genders and creeds. Help us to "Help Tomorrow's Musicians Today" by donating a new, slightly used, or somehow workable musical instrument. We will see it to a deserving child or youth program wherever it is needed in the United States. We are a certified 501 (c) (3) charity and we believe that the healing gift of music should be heard and played by any and all children who wish to do so.

Thank you from "Al;" "Waffles" Dad.

Announcing Our Second Annual Fundraiser At Arcade Monsters In St. Armand's Circle / Lido Beach FL On 4/28/23 From 7pm to 11pm. Join Us For a Night Of Games & Prizes For A Great Cause

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Friends Of Waffles

We are so grateful to the following business partners, individuals, and organizations who make what we do possible and who help us to "Help Tomorrow's Musicians Today." 


Brain Scan Media - Tom thank you for this amazing and professional website and for being our very first sponsor.

Kiwanis of Canarsie and Ben Bay
- Veronica your devotion to education and our foundation have made such a difference in the lives of so many young musicians.

Monorail Tales Podcast Team - Thank you to everyone on the team for your support and for giving us a platform to highlight the foundations current events and spread the word and excitement of the foundation.

Publix Supermarket -  Thank you for helping to make kids dreams come true & for giving back to the community. Your event sponsorship was a key to our first event's success

I Like It Designs - Thank you to Tracy and Jack for being our "Gold" Sponsor for our first event at Arcade Monsters and for your generosity and love for your support of our vision of bringing music to kids everywhere.

Fogt's Music Store of Sarasota
- Thank you to "Bill" and "JT" for your kindness, generosity, and for prepping our instruemnts before they are donated.

The Herald Tribune & Reporter Earle Kimmel - Thank you Earle for writing such a thoughtful and informative article about our foundation, "Waffles," and our first event. The article continues to spread our mission to the world and has gathered countless musical instruments and equipment that we have donated to children and youth music programs around the United States of America.

Arcade Monsters of Lido Beach - Thank you for your hospitality, friendship, and generosity in allowing us to celebrate our first event at your spectacular arcade. We are so happy with its success that we have decided to make this an annual event. Your ownership, staff, and facility are stellar and all of our guests felt at home and can't wait for next year.

Anna Marie Island Women of the Moose Chapter 1601 - Our foundation is grateful to all of the members of the lodge for their generous donation and for their dedication to the students we sponsor.

Post Net of Sarasota on 5342 Clark Road. Thank you to Brenda for being such a friend and professional resource for our foundation. You take care of all of our shipping & printing; and we are so grateful.


It is our extreme privilige to help youth music anywhere and everywhere that is needed. Please contact us.  The following schools, institutions, and music programs are currently partnering with us for instrument donations, scholarships, and or mentoring. We also have donated musical instruments & equipment to dozens of kids across the United States. Our mission and focus is always ongoing and our search for kids in need who want to play music or be involved with any facet of it is never ending. 


Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, New York. 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, New York.

 St. Martha's Catholic School of Sarasota, Florida.
  
Incarnation Catholic School of Sarasota, Florida.

Operation Music Project in New York, New York.

The Nubian Conservatory of Music in Brooklyn, New York.

The Suzuki Music Institute in Sarasota, Florida.


Our Ambassadors

Elisa Donahue and Lauren McAlister Yonkers, New York

Samuel Zarbailov(Sam Zee) Brooklyn, New York

Diane Larkin Brooklyn, New York

Sheila Sanders Rock Hill, South Carolina

Brandie Flee Sarasota, Florida

Veronica Duchene Daniele Thomas Marine Park and Canarsie Brooklyn, New York

Bill Mitchell Tom's River, New Jersey

"Eddie" Patella (Service Dog / Therapy Dog) Astoria, Queens.


Become an Ambassador today for your local comunity and help us to bring music to kids in all corners of the earth.
Ambassadors spread the good will of our foundation, collect musical instruments, and help raise funds.


If you have a skill or talent that you believe can be used to help our foundation please contact us. Together we can help children in need and inspire them to be the world's next musicians.






Exciting Music Fact Of The Month.

Double neck guitars usually have one 6-string neck, and one 12-string neck. Some double neck guitars have one 6-string neck, and one bass-guitar neck with 4-strings. They are used in songs where you need both a 6 string and 12 string guitar, and don’t want to keep swapping instruments mid song. One of the most notable guitarists to have used a double neck guitar is Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.

Contact Us

Alfred Bahna - Director / President
Lorraine Knepple - Director / Secretary
Luis Quevedo - Director
Kerry Bahna - Treasurer

3994 Mediterranea Circle
Sarasota, FL 34233

Email: wafflesfoundation@gmail.com

We are a certified 501 (c) (3) with the United States Internal Revenue Service and we are registered by the State of Florida. This information can be verified via public record or upon request.

All donations are tax deductible and we will provide you with a receipt.