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.
Meet "Isaac." He's our newest full term music scholarship student who plays at The Suzuki Music Institute. Isaac is a classic piano player who was the beneficiary of a brand new keyboard that our foundation donated to him so he can play at home.
Bill Mitchell is our newest Ambassador and he is from the incredible town of Tom's River, New Jersey. Bill is a magnificent source of energy and ideas and we are happy to have his creative force with us as well as his passion to help kids everywhere.
I wrote our official mission statement in the quiet reflection of Turtle Beach, Sarasota where I go to watch sunsets, manatees, and reflect on life, the foundation, and of course my dearly departed son Matthew; "Waffles."
Give The Gift Of Music Every Month With Our Foundation's Giving Campaign Called "Dollars For Music Scholars." Please type this secure link into your browser https://secure.givelively.org/donate/waffles-foundation-inc
Our monthly giving campaign called "Dollars For Music Scholars" is the brilliant idea of two real life Jedi Knights named Luis & Jeanna Quevedo. The link to copy and post in your browser is https://secure.givelively.org/donate/waffles-foundation-inc
"Waffles" playing billiards with my dad and his "Pop Pop" two weeks before "Waffles" passed. "Waffles" loved jamming around "Pop Pop" and sometimes "Pop Pop" would take out a harmonica and join in.
Our original logo debuted in December 2020 & was actually of "Waffles" image from the "Tony Hawk" photo but most people thought it was "Jesus." I replaced this logo and verse in June 2022 to clarify our true mission of impacting young musicians.
"Angel" and myself at the spring 2022 violin concert of "The Suzuki Music Institute." "Angel" is a superb violin player and has a tremendous love of music.
Robby Justus designed our official logo. He incorporated a striking color scheme with a very symbolic tribute to "Waffles" consisting of a waffle with a halo and musical notes. Robby is a great friend of mine and a big supporter of our mission.
Our foundation logo was updated on June 7th 2022 on what would have been "Waffles" 30th Birthday. I added the slogan "Helping Tomorrow's Musician's Today." The logo was designed by my friend "Robby" who is a brilliant graphic artist.
"Eddie" is our official foundation service/therapy dog who visits patients in hospitals and makes their day . Here he is pictured on Siesta Key Beach shortly after visiting patients at a local hospital. "Eddie" lives in Queens, New York.
Veronica Duchene Daniele Thomas and I have been friends since the 1st Grade. She is a teacher from Brooklyn as well as an officer in the Canarsie Kiwanis. She is our Ambassador from Marine Park and Mill Basin Brooklyn and is a dynamic person....
Brandie Flee is our Ambassador from Sarasota FL. She is a Special Education Teacher and I am so honored to have her on our team. She puts the E in Energy. ......
Of his longtime friend "Waffles" Roy says "All my favorite memories of Waffles have to do with music in some way. Music for him was like a language he was born speaking, always made it look easy."
World famous gamer Brian Kuh is a friend and supporter of our foundation and donated a signed photo to one of our sponsored kids at our fundraiser on 4/29/22. If you don't recognize Brian you might know him from his famous movie "King of Kong."
"Bill" of Fogt's Gulf Coast Music Center in Sarasota is the amazing musician / store owner who restrings and overhauls any instrument we receive which needs work so when they are given to a child they look and sound incredible. Thank you "Bill."
Qyaji Amory-Narcisse is our sponsored student at the Nubian Conservatory in Brooklyn. He is an incredible tenor and is our first sponsored voice student. He lives in Brooklyn not far from where our family grew up and "Waffles" went to school.
Scene of our very first fundraiser which was a huge success. A great thank you to General Managers Josh, Mike, and owner Adrian for being so welcoming to me and the foundation and for partnering with us for our first event.
Our first fundraiser was a huge success! Mark your calendars for next year on April 28th 2023 as we are making this an annual event at Arcade Monsters.
Donate an instrument today and join us in "Helping Tomorrow's Musicians Today." All donations are tax deductible and we give you the history of where your instrument goes and who it is helping. This guitar was donated to St. Martha's School in FL.
We are proud to be working with the Nubian Conservatory of Music in Brooklyn. Their director Edward Gordon is a pillar of the Brooklyn community and has spent his life teaching kids. We are currently sponsoring an incredible tenor named Qyaji.
Matt; "Waffles" first ever guitar. He was a natural at playing but he put in a lot of hours and hard work. He was a very balanced and free spirited person who like many musicians used music to open many doors and friendships.
Jeanna and Luis Quevedo have given so much of their hearts to our foundation and to us. Luis is one of directors. Both are dear friends who are there for us through thick and thin and are truly two of God's best people.
Laur M and Elisa D from Yonkers NY are two of our Ambassadors and our very close friends. They are currently working in the foundation to build awareness in social media. They are tireless and motivated and I am honored to know them.
Lorraine Knepple is one of our Directors and our Foundation Secretary. More than this she is a close friend who helped me start the Waffles Foundation and inspired me at an all time low in my life after losing "Waffles." I am forever grateful to her.
I am so proud of our entire staff at The Waffles Foundation INC. Pictured here is one of Directors Luis Quevedo passing on a donated keyboard to a child just before Christmas 2021.
I am proud to work with the Suzuki Music Institute in Sarasota as a sponsor of two violin students and also to partner with such professional teachers like the school's director "Salil."
Our newest sponsored Violin student is "Angel." She is only five years of age but has incredible talent. She is a student in Sarasota at the Suzuki Music Institute.
"Thao" has now graduated but was our sponsored student at the Suzuki Music Institute from 2021 - 2022. She is an accomplished violin player who has secured a new scholarship at her high school. We wish her well and are proud of her accomplishments.
This was "Waffles" favorite photo that I ever clicked of him. It features him and two of his friends walking the boardwalk at Asbury Park New Jersey. He always said that if he ever cut an album then this photo would have been featured on the jacket.
Waffles in upstate New York near Saugerties playing acoustic not far from the famous Woodstock Concert of 1969.
Waffles backstage with James Euringer aka "Jimmy Urine" the lead singer of the band Mindless Self Indulgence. This was shortly before Jimmy co starred in the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 movie as the Ravager character "Half Nut."
"Waffles" expression after finding out he has been strumming a 15,000 dollar banjo. This was at Guitar Center on Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando Florida.
Waffles on acoustic. He went electric for many years but returned to acoustic almost exclusively during his last 18 months. It was then that he started to also play the 12 string guitar and master classics like Hotel California.
The last photo of Waffles on the evening of the night that he passed. I was driving him to work and he always wanted to sit in the front seat mainly because he wanted to work the radio and find songs on Sirius XM. He was a musician's musician.
Waffles and I at Bumper Nets Arcade in Alabama playing the Batman pinball game. Batman was our favorite DC Character.
Introducing Isaac Our New Student / Donating A Keyboard To Isaac / Tour Of Suzuki Music Institute
Keyboard and Trumpet Pickup In Sarasota County / Funny Al Moment While Trying To Play The Trumpet.
Words of Wisdom For All Who Are Depressed or Feel Alone From My Friend Father Osorno Waffles Priest.
"Waffles" Best Friend Zach Donates a "Les Paul" & Talks About "Waffles" Brilliant Guitar Playing.
Donating a Musical Instrument to the Waffles Foundation is Easy / Here's How / Join Me on a Pickup.
The Late Matthew "Waffles" Bahna at his Comical Best.
Violin Concert by the Kids of the Suzuki Music Institute at the New Life Lutheran Church in Sarasota
The Waffles Foundation Fundraiser At Arcade Monsters In St. Armand's Circle Sarasota.
Donating An Electric Scooter To A Veteran At VFW Post 3233 in Sarasota / The Waffles Foundation INC.
"Eddie" Warms The Hearts of Patients / Introducing The Waffles Foundation INC Service / Therapy Dog.
The Waffles Foundation INC. On WPIX News On 11/25/22 For "Giving Tuesday." (Six O'Clock Version.)
Matt's First Music Teacher Recounts Meeting Matt and Teaching Him How to Play / A Loving Tribute
Mini Jam Session, Restringing, & Tuning Foundation Instruments at "Fogt's Music" in Sarasota.
Our Sponsored Student "Thao" Tuning Up To "Go Tell Aunt Rhody"
Spring 2022 Violin Concert of The Suzuki Music Institute Featuring "Angel" Our Sponsored Student.
Nicotine Dolls Lead Singer Sam Cieri's Heartfelt Tribute to His Late Friend Matthew "Waffles" Bahna.
The Late Matthew "Waffles" Bahna Playing the Entertainer on a Gibson SG. ( From The Sting Movie.)
Masterful Electric Guitar Cover of the Beatles "Yesterday" by the Late Matthew "Waffles" Bahna
"Scholastica" The Cello Finds A Home At Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota.
A "Waffles" Tribute by his best friend Tyler.
The Best Movies Ever Filmed In Brooklyn. Original Acoustic Music By Matthew "Waffles" Bahna
How Two Rent A House or Apartment Starring "Waffles" and "Tyler."
Picking Up Donated Instruments & Equipment From Englewood, FL / The Waffles Foundation INC.
Restringing Donated Instruments / Special Thanks To & A Tour Of Fogt's Music Store in Sarasota.
NYC Holiday Walk Through Times Square. (Set to Matthew "Waffles" Bahna Piano Cover of U2.)
Adorable Girl From Sarasota Receives Free Guitar From The Waffles Foundation INC.
The Waffles Foundation INC. On WPIX News On 11/25/22 For "Giving Tuesday." (Six O'Clock Version.)
The Waffles Foundation INC. Our History, Goals, and Mission Statement.
Stairway to Heaven Guitar Solo by the late Matthew "Waffles" Bahna. (Awesome Rendition on an SG)
Acoustic Guitar Version of Long and Winding Road by the late Matt "Waffles" Bahna from Brooklyn.
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.
Well before Live Aid, on August 1, 1971 to be exact, George Harrison, along with his friend and fellow musician Ravi Shankar and a host of other stars, pulled off something that had never been achieved or even attempted before: the Concert For Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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.
