Page 49 - April2021_Magazine

Finding flute in 14th District is music to musician’s ears
Officers helped track down a $22,000 flute that was lost on a Blue Line train on Jan. 29 for a young flutist who attends Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Fourteenth District Detective George Hilbring retrieved and returned the flute to 23-year-old Donald Rabin on Feb. 4 after finding it at a local pawn shop. Of- ficers Michael Carroll and Jose Jara drove Rabin to lunch and to the airport after a brief celebratory performance of “Some- where Over the Rainbow” at the 14th District station, according to Carroll.
“I really wanted to give back to the people in the community of Chicago and give back to the Chicago Police to just show my great appreciation,” Rabin shared. “This is my career. This is my livelihood. This is the purpose that I’m here on this earth, so for it to be found and in great condition — I was just truly thankful.”
The flute had been located at the pawn shop after a homeless couple had at- tempted to sell it. Rabin decided not to pursue legal action — instead, he chose forgiveness for the couple.
In honor of the officers’ extraordinary acts in reuniting Rabin with his flute and to support the homeless individuals, he organized “Uniting America,” a virtual concert featuring musicians represent- ing each of the 50 states to fundraise for the Chicago Police Memorial Founda- tion (CPMF), Humble Design Chicago and Connections for the Homeless.
Two performances of the concert were streamed on March 12 and March 13, and fundraising is still open. Rabin’s ultimate goal is to raise $150,000 for the three organizations and turn the concert into an annual event.
“We have an interactive map where you can look at the United States and click on a state to see who is representing that state,” Rabin shared about the con- cert’s online presence. “This triadic char- ity event was supported by musicians all across the country in an effort to support those who are struggling and try to create an effort where musicians can use their talents for a really, really great cause.”
Officers Jose Jara (left) and Michael Carroll of the 14th District drive Donald Rabin to retrieve his lost $22,000 flute on Feb. 4.
Rabin performs a celebratory con- cert at the 14th District station to thank officers for their efforts in locating his instrument.
Carroll and Jara treat Rabin to lunch after the concert.
The flutist will forever be grateful to the officers in the 14th District for find- ing his instrument and to Carroll and Jara for chauffeuring him around the city the day he was able to retrieve his flute. He is excited to keep his relationship with the officers and the CPMF strong for years to come.
“[The CPMF] was supportive of the whole endeavor. They sent out [the concert] in their newsletter,” Rabin ex- pressed. “We’re just still trying to raise money for everybody in Chicago to help with this amazing cause. I think this is definitely going to be an annual event, turning lemons into lemonade.”
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