For the last three years, Kirtland Stout, associate vice president of Risk Management Services, has been playing piano in the University Union as a fundraiser for March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to helping research and prevent premature births.

Having had two premature granddaughters, Stout had the idea to play piano and set up a donations basket, not to solicit money from students but merely draw peoples attention to the posters he provided. Stour said the March of Dimes office that receives his daily donations told him his was the most unusual fundraiser they had heard of.

“[Piano music] brings a different spirit to the place,” Stout said.

Stout has been playing piano since he was nine years old and volunteered for three years as a piano player for the senior living center, The Commons at Elk Grove.

“I am very touched that students, faculty and staff respond as well as they do, especially students,” Stout said.

Stout said he remembered being a college student with no extra cash but seeing the contribution of generous students everyday surprised him.

“Whenever I see a situation like this … I ask myself, ‘What if that were me?'” said James Jasso, a freshman studying mechanical engineering and one of the many who donated.

This year, Stout invited students to play for the fundraiser as well.

Daniel Ponce, a sophomore studying music theory and composition, was one of the three students who participated.

“I love playing the piano … I don’t play in front of people very often,” Ponce said.

Even though he wasn’t very familiar with March of Dimes, he liked the experience of playing music as a way to raise funds.

Jackson Stafford, a freshman studying jazz studies, played for the fundraiser as well. Performing weekly at Ettore’s European Bakery and Restaurant in Fair Oaks and any other events he can get hired for. Stafford said he loved playing on campus.

“I like being able to play out here. I’m tired of being pent up in a practice room,” Stafford said.

Stafford said he especially like the experience of performing for the fundraiser because it drew the attention of a little girl and her mother. Stafford said he liked being able to show off for the little girl and inspire her when she asked that he play “Chopsticks” for her.

The third student to play for the fundraiser was Angelina Lims, a graduate student studying music in piano performance.

“I was moved by Kirk’s story, … so I signed up to play the piano at the Union. It is a great way to share music for a good cause,” Lims said.

Over $700 has been raised in each year’s fundraiser so far and thanks to the contributions of students, faculty and staff, the same amount has been raised by this year’s fundraiser on Friday, April 19.