Last August, the Hungry for Music van pulled into the parking lot of Key Music, a small music shop in Newburgh, N.Y.

Out came the proprietor, Ken Sickinger, and his assistant, Colin Baxter, to inspect the donated musical instruments in the van. The nearly 40 instruments all needed repairs, ranging from minor to major.

And Sickinger, through a mutual friend—Julian Baker, who runs New Paltz Rocks, an after-school rock music program—had offered to help.

“They looked at each other like, ‘What have we gotten ourselves into,’” said Jeff Campbell, founder and president of Hungry for Music. “But they said to bring them in, and they would see what they could do.”

Campbell told Sickinger to take his time. August is the busy time of year for Sickinger’s business as students get their instruments ready for the beginning of school.

“I was thinking it would take at least a month,” Jeff said. “That was a lot of instruments, and it was the busy time of year. But two weeks later, they called me. They were done.”

It was the beginning of a terrific relationship for Hungry for Music. Including that first batch, Sickinger and Baxter have repaired and refurbished more than 100 instruments for Hungry for Music.

“I can’t say enough about what they have meant to us,” said Campbell. “It’s just incredible what they have done.”

It hasn’t been easy.

Sickinger has operated his store for 20 years. But two years ago, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He said he is training Baxter to take over the business.

Their ties run deep. Lynn Sickinger, Ken’s wife, taught Baxter in school. Ken Sickinger taught Baxter’s brother.

Baxter, who plays the trumpet, went on to earn a masters in music from Pottsdam State. He takes the lead on repairing brass instruments. Sickinger said, “I’m teaching him everything I know about woodwinds and strings.”

Baxter sorts the stock. Some of the instruments he works with for Hungry for Music require only a bit of repairs. Others require significant rebuilds. Some may not be usable at all. But it’s interesting and brings new challenges every year. “Strings are a whole different skill set with a lot of delicate parts. We get to see it all,” Baxter said.

Sickinger can’t help but think of what he is leaving behind. He wants his business to carry on. He wants music to carry on. He wants his students to carry on. And, through his and Baxter’s work for Hungry for Music, he is helping kids he’ll never meet.

“Music is a good thing. I want to pass it on,” Sickinger said. “Some teachers view it as a job; I view it as a calling. The opportunity to pass on something you love is special.”