KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgBarry Manilow brings $300,000 in instruments to Joplin

A famous face brings three semi-truck loads full of donations for the Joplin youth.

Barry Manilow arrived at Junge Stadium today, presenting more than $300,000 in instruments to the school music program, including a grand piano.

The donation comes as part of the Manilow Music Project, which helps public school music programs across the country.

Manilow says he wanted to help the Joplin students because he knows how invaluable music can be during tough times.

"I kept saying to myself 'how can I help - what can I possibly do?'" says Manilow.  "We did know Margie down here and these were people I knew.  So we came up with the instruments for the kids."

Margie and Mike Fitterling of Fitterling Dentistry in Joplin helped coordinate the visit.  They had also set up an instrument drive leading up to today's event.