BY JEN HORTON
Two years after Matt Buth died of suicide, DeLand High School Band affiliates, parents and teachers formed the Matt Buth Foundation (MBF). Through that, Matt’s story lives on in more than $26,000 in scholarships, music mini-grants and mental-health grants.
MBF Board President Becky Adesso talked about the bittersweet triumph of Matt’s legacy.
Adesso was a band mom, a position that demands endless hugs, snacks, Band-Aids and water runs for every football game, parade and concert. Matt was one of her band kids.
“The year after AJ (Adesso’s son) graduated, and a year after Matt passed, I went back to present a scholarship our family business always gives out,” she said. “Seeing all those kids in their caps and gowns made me realize Matt’s never going to do that. I couldn’t get it out of my head.”
Conversations started, and within a year, the foundation formed with the mission to help.
To just help.
“We were just going to take donations and then give away the money, but Matt was so loved by DeLand, and the music community that we ultimately had to form a 501(c)(3),” Adesso said.
The foundation was established to continue Matt’s love of music and his caring spirit.
Scholarships are given out in Matt’s honor each year to Volusia County students who love music.
Mental-health grants are given out to agencies who work toward suicide prevention: staying safe when it’s emotionally difficult.
And, new this year, mini-grants were given to the DeLand High Chorus and Band directors to help with music fees — so that more students can play.
“He knew how to play every instrument he laid his hands on,” Adesso said. “He believed the world was made better with music.”
You can help.
The annual Matt Buth Foundation Gala will be 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Venue 142, 142 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand. Tickets cost $75.
The gala features hors d’oeuvres, dinner, specialty cocktails, an open bar, jazz music, a silent auction, and special guest speakers.
All money raised at the gala will benefit the scholarship fund, and programs that prevent suicide.
To purchase tickets, make a donation, or learn more, visit mattbuthfoundation.org.
The MBF Scholarship has given out $20,000 in scholarships to local students.
Each student received a $2,500 scholarship:
Jonah Glenn, DeLand High, Class of 2024
Grimm Stephenson, DeLand High, Class of 2024
Elizabeth Paez-Colon, Deltona High, Class of 2024
Jordan Hanstein, DeLand High School, Class of 2023
Marina Meretz, DeLand High School, Class of 2023
Dominic Marinaccio, Seabreeze High School, 2023
Cooper Sirmans, DeLand High, Class of 2022
Joshua Spraker, Spruce Creek, Class of 2022
— Horton is a member of the board of directors of the Matt Buth Foundation. She is a former band mom, and Matt and her daughter were close friends in high school.
