Sarah McLachlan's School of Music provides free music lessons to at-risk youth in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Since the holiday season is a time of giving, many musicians are taking the opportunity to record songs to benefit various organizations and charities. We told you about several charitable music initiatives a few weeks ago, and it’s no surprise to hear that singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan is lending her talents to a good cause this season as well, offering a free download of a new holiday tune in hopes of receiving donations for the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

The Grammy Award winner has long been an active philanthropist: her advertising campaigns for The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) have earned more than $30 million for the organization since airing in 2006; she has contributed to benefit albums for the Red Hot Organization and the Leonard Peltier Defense Fund, and her Lilith Fair music fests have raised more than $10 million for women’s charities. In fact, McLachlan was awarded a Doctor of Fine Arts degree by Simon Fraser University for her charitable efforts.

But it’s probably safe to say that one of the causes closest to her heart is the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, Canada, where she lives. Since 2002, the school has offered free group classes and private lessons to at-risk children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to music instruction. In an effort to raise awareness of the school’s efforts, as well as funds, this week McLachlan released an original holiday song, “Space on the Couch for Two,” which features her lead vocals backed by instrumentation and singing from the school’s students. While the song is available as a free download, McLachlan hopes that listeners will make a donation. “If you can afford a $1 or $5 contribution to our school, it would warm my heart as we continue to provide free music lessons to at-risk youth,” she says.

Watch the video for “Space on the Couch for Two,” then opt to head to the Sarah McLachlan School of Music’s website to make a donation.

What causes are close to your heart this holiday season?

Tags: advertising campaigns, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Education, Entertainment/Culture, Leonard Peltier Defense Fund, Lilith Fair, McLachlan, Music, Red Hot Organization, Sarah McLachlan, Sarah McLachlan School of Music, Simon Fraser University, Singer and songwriter, Singers, the Grammy, USD, Vancouver