Thanks to a generous donation from acclaimed singer-songwriter Paul Simon, dozens of special education students will be soon developing their culinary chops.

During Simon's recent farewell tour, he made donations to local programs in every city he visited, including Portland, Oregon last month.

Remembered for his successful folk duo, Simon and Garfunkel, the 77-year-old musician made a $10,000 donation to Portland Public Schools, half of which was given to the Community Transition Program (CTP).

The program helps students with special needs develop skills for life after high school. Simon's donation will ensure these kids will have a bridge over any troubled waters ahead, by having perfected their culinary skills working with professional chefs in a brand new kitchen.

During Simon's recent farewell tour, he made donations to local programs in every city he visited, including Portland, Oregon last month.

Remembered for his successful folk duo, Simon and Garfunkel, the 77-year-old musician made a $10,000 donation to Portland Public Schools, half of which was given to the Community Transition Program (CTP).

The program helps students with special needs develop skills for life after high school. Simon's donation will ensure these kids will have a bridge over any troubled waters ahead, by having perfected their culinary skills working with professional chefs in a brand new kitchen.

"It's going to open up huge opportunities for my students to learn customer service skills, learn different soft set skills before we place them in an internship with a community partner," said Thelina O'Daniel the principal of CTP. "It's really exciting."

"We thought it would be great to put in a training kitchen here because many of our students want to get into the culinary field," she added.

As for the fans of the "Mrs.Robinson" songwriter, his quitting touring doesn't mean they will need to endure the ‘sounds of silence' from Simon, because he just released an album called In the Blue Light.

You Can't Call Us Al, But You Can Share The Good News To Social Media – Photo by Matthew Straubmuller, CC