Photo: Courtesy of Barry Jaffin

Many Big Give entries were aimed at helping children. It was New York City physician Barry Jaffin's now 13-year-old son, David, who came up with the idea of replacing musical instruments that New Orleans public schools lost in Hurricane Katrina. Mentor and musical legend Tony Bennett introduced the elder Jaffin to arts nonprofits such as the Gibson Foundation (Music Rising), Mr. Holland's Opus, and Bennett's own Exploring the Arts, all of which made additional donations. The total haul so far: $100,000 worth of instruments, some of which made a joyful noise when the KIPP Believe College Prep symphonic and jazz bands performed in New Orleans earlier this year for an audience that included Bennett and the Jaffin family. ( To find out how to donate money or instruments to the Jaffins' project, go to GivetheGiftofMusic.net .)

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