Yes, this lady won the lottery.

But it was a lottery of a different kind than what we usually think of when we hear the word "lottery."

This one had as its prize no money....

The year was 2002. The country was the Ukraine. The lottery was run by none other than the United States government.

And to the citizens of that economically struggling nation--the Ukraine--the prize was perhaps more valuable than money:  The prize was a Green Card allowing legal immigration to the USA.

The lucky winner we're talking about here was then a 32-year-old single mom with a seven-year-old son.

When their flight landed in Los Angeles, mom had $600 and her Masters Degree in Violin and Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting, which she earned from the prestigious Kiev Conservatory of Music, to work with.

Mom had a plan:  She would create a Youth Symphony for children between the ages of 6 and 18. And hers would be the only such Symphony of the more than 200 that existed in the United States that would charge no tuition or any other fees to the children or their families...a seemingly impossible task.

It took awhile, but in 2006 the East County Youth Symphony (in San Diego) was chartered. It obtained IRS certification as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, and boasted 8 children as its initial membership.

It's funding would come solely from donations.

Now let's jump ahead to 2009, today, in fact.

The East County Youth Symphony (in San Diego) has 100 children-members, none of whom come from wealthy families. It has regular Spring and Winter performance seasons (admission to the concerts are free, of course) are several venues around San Diego County. The orchestra has performed Beethoven's Fifth  and Dvorjak's Ninth Symphonies, among other works. They have played for audiences as large as 1300 people. And still no tuition or any other fees are charged to the children or their families!

My association with the East County Youth Symphony is as a volunteer. It continues to be the most satisfying work I have ever done in my life. Quite honestly, I am amazed at what this lady has been able to achieve---and she, also, is a volunteer:  No salary.

Her reward consists of the joy she sees in the faces of her children-musicians.

[Note:  I have not mentioned the name of this lady because she is so modest that she prefers all "glory" to go to her children. However, the East County Youth Symphony has a website. On it, this lady will be readily identifiable, as will instructions on how one can make tax deductible contributions (they need every $ they can get.)

Here's the website:  www.ECYSymphony.com

If you'd like to contribute, tell them Fred sent you, or contact me directly here at HubPages.]