As a new resident of Fayette County, I look forward to continuing the work I started in San Jose, Calif., five years ago.
It is a music program called Guitars Not Guns. We provide guitars and lessons to foster kids, at-risk youth and other deserving children at no charge. In the past two years we have provided over 300 guitars to children.
Music has the power to heal and some of our students really need the healing power that music provides. Not only that but our music program teaches kids how to focus. Just ask any school teacher about students being able to focus and they will tell you that it is a great asset.
We are a nonprofit organization with all volunteers; not one gets paid. Our volunteer teachers range from lawyers to guitarists in bands and others that just want to help kids learn to strum a few chords on a guitar.
Classes for our students are held at community centers, Boys and Girls clubs and other locations that are offered to us at no cost. A normal class consists of 10 students and three volunteer teachers.
If anyone in Fayette County is interested in helping establish our first classroom starting in January 2006 please visit www.guitarsnotguns.org and send us an e-mail or call 770-487-1070.
The founder of Guitars Not Guns also holds the title of the only person to ever ride a guitar round trip from San Francisco to New York City, believe it or not. To see the Guitarbike go to www.guitarbike.com.
Ray Nelson
Peachtree City, Ga.