Press Release
Guitars not Guns announced today that musical giant Gibson Guitar
has become the official guitar sponsor for their youth music program.
They are grateful to Gibson Guitar for their enormous generosity and
incredible support. Guitars not Guns Founder, Ray Nelson finalized the
agreement with the Gibson Foundation on April 26, 2006. The Gibson
Foundation is looking forward to working with Guitars not Guns over the
coming years to help bring their message to a broader base and to
assist in providing a wonderful alternative to violence for foster and
at risk children across the country. Nelson and his entire staff are
overwhelmed by Gibson's support. The three year sponsorship agreement
includes a guitar donation to help offset the organizations events and
programs, website announcements, and monetary assistance.
Ray Nelson has this to say about the students Guitars not Guns serve: "We may not put clothes on their backs or food in their stomachs, but what we give our students is something that is good for the soul, and it can last a lifetime. If you have some spare time or a spare room invite a foster kid into your home. You'll be glad you did."
Guitars not Guns provides free guitars and free lessons to children in foster care, to at risk youth, and to other deserving children. The organization serves kids and teens between the ages of 8-18. No child is turned away for lack of funds. They are not anti-guns. They are anti-gun violence, especially in schools, and they offer an alternative to violence.
Each chapter purchases guitars and class lesson materials for students with donated funds and monies raises through benefit concerts or fund raising projects. They supply each student a guitar and a soft shell guitar bag, which usually includes a guitar strap, electric guitar tuner, and guitar picks. The number of teachers per lesson depends on the number of students. An average class session is eight weeks with eight students and three teachers, a main instructor and two assistant instructors. Students are assigned homework each week and are expected to practice thirty minutes per day. At the end of their first eight-week session, students, who have been diligent with their studies and who have attended class regularly, are rewarded ownership of their guitars and are encouraged to continue taking class sessions.
Foster kids and at risk youth are often moved from home to home. A guitar is an easy instrument to carry; it becomes their "best friend" and constant companion in their ever-changing world. Guitars not Guns gives young people the gift of music and helps provide them with a better direction to go, inspiring students to embrace music instead of a life involved with substance abuse or with gangs. Most young people are hungry for music; many are in need of positive role models, and many truly need healthy attention. Guitars not Guns staff serve as youth mentors in their communities, encouraging students to believe in themselves. They teach students to trust that they can learn how to play guitar. They allow students to repeat sessions so they can reinforce their learning. Receiving the gift of music and also the gift of learning how to make music is no small gift. Music can redirect and calm troubled young lives, and it can give at risk youths something excellent to embrace during an often difficult time in their lives. Studies claim that music can raise IQs and build up self-confidence and self-esteem. All of this has a very significant and positive impact on the lives of students and also on the communities where they live.
Guitars not Guns is a 501 c 3 federally exempt non-profit organization. Their West Coast headquarters is in San Jose, California. Their East Coast headquarters is in Peachtree City, Georgia. They have California chapters in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Monterey, Santa Clara/San Jose, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Solano. They have one established chapter in New Mexico. They have chapters pending in California and other states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Ray and Louise Nelson, founders of Guitars not Guns and long-time residents of San Jose, California, moved to Peachtree City, Georgia, in December 2005.
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