As a youngster, music was my salvation. I ended up in the hospital (lot's of broken bones, a punctured lung from a stabbing) lot's of times, from abuse by a troubled parent.

Luckily, at the age of 11, I was able to make enough to help ease the situation for my four younger brothers, and leave home at the age of 14, where I could support myself and still assist my brothers.

Music is so powerful, and sharing the joy of music is an amaising, nobel thing to do. It can change lives.

Recently, I was honored to fund the purchase of a controller keyboard and needed Roland electronic drum components for the kids at the school where our good friend Dave Boyd teaches.

I suggested to Dave that we see if there is interest in this group in contributing to the school, with funds going to improving the music program. He works with talented, but troubled kids, and he's the most dedicated teacher I know of.

A contribution of $5.00 would purchase an instrument cord, strings, picks, etc. Combining our contributions would make it possible to do so much more.

Any interest? Dave is preparing a "wish list"/budget of needed items. If, as a group, we want to do this, he'll supply history of the school and his plan for improvements to the music equipment and program. The school is a 501-c non-profit, so any contributions are tax deductible.

Please let me know what you think. Don't send any donations yet, but let us know if you would consider participating. If we proceed, checks would be made out to the school and sent to Dave. We would get acknowledgement and thanks from the administration, the kids, photos of the equipment posted here, and all enjoy a good feeling in the knowledge that we made a difference and shared the gift of music that is so important to us all.

I'm in...how about you!

In appreciation...


Russ

Sign me up.
DonM

$5.00 ??? ... I've dropped that for far less worthy causes ...
t.

Thanks, guys...it's no surprise you two are the first positive responders. If we do this, it not only helps needy kids, it shows support and appreciation for the dedication and efforts of one of our best friends and valuable contributor/members...a crusty old F*** with a heart of gold on his sleeve.

There is a childrens rehabilitation center here, and I have supplied them with several guitars, a bass, amps, a digital piano, drums and a sound system for over 10 years.

I maintain/replace/upgrade the equipment and harrass my player/friends to go with me several times a month to hang-out/jam with the residents. Several volunteer to give lessons-no charge. Believe me, we get much more out of the effort in terms of personal satisfaction than we put in.

It's a WIN, WIN deal, I say.

Don and Tony, thanks so much. I PERSONALLY appreciate your personal support and friendship.

To quote Tony, "I LOVE this place"!

Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 03-19-2007).]

Russ

There are still some good guys out there, keep up the good work

I'm semi broke but not to broke for this. Count me in. You might consider PAY PAL for real easy payment. Make it easy they will contribute.

Jerry

Thanks, Jerry. We'll let Dave check out the Pay-Pal option at the school. I'm sure there's a way to process the necessary paperwork to use as proof of a tax deductible contribution.

Russ

Sorry we missed the boat this time but will catch it for sure next time. Let us know when.

[This message has been edited by BEBOP (edited 04-23-2007).]

I'm in. Paypal would be easier.
Bernie

Wow!

This reminds me of when we all pitched in to get Composer Ryan a new Yamaha Psr740 ... remember?!? That was such a great community effort!

This zone was sooooooo helpful in that quest that Yamaha USA even donated the keyboard so we could buy other useful gear for his composing needs. We set this kid up with great stuff, and he’s now composing his brains out!

I have to thank Russ for starting this ball rolling. I never would have asked you folks for help, but he was so excited to help my kids ( I sounds like Jerry Lewis !!! ) that I thought, hey - maybe it IS possible to get some of the gear we need to bring our second campus up to the standard that our main campus studio has.

Here's the story, in a nutshell:

New Hope Academy started 25 years ago as a private tutoring facility, but the kids did so well in our environment, and failed so predictably back in public school, that our founder and president found a way to keep the kids FULL time, but stay on a one to one, or very small group lesson schedule.....thereby enabling NHA to graduate these kids! We issue the diploma, hold the graduation, and throw the prom ... the whole deal!

Anyway – many of our kids are very, very talented in the arts. We have a major Mac Lab where we make movies and do computer animation. We have tremendous painters and graphic designers. Our music department is running ProTools, Reason, Logic and more. Our main campus has been set up for a few years, but we just expanded into a second facility ( where I work ) and we don’t have the budget to outfit the music studio as of yet. This is still a Mom & Pop business and we have a 2 to 1 ratio of students to teachers, so you can imagine the payroll we have for teachers alone.

The gear we need in our studio is as follows:

1) Power Mac G5 with expanded RAM and drive storage for digital audio use.
( Approx $4000 )
2) Dual 23” monitors ( we paid $1100, but they just were reduced to $800 each ! )
3) We’re matching a corner studio desk to the one we already have that houses all the gear. It’s a Sauder unit and it was $400 on line.
4) Russ has already given us the 88 key M-Audio keyboard controller we needed, so that’s in place
5) A few desk chairs, cables, mics, windscreens, stands and incidentals bring the grand total of the renovation to just over $7000.

We submitted this bid to our budget committee, and they said – “no way this year.” It’s understandable, because we just moved our main campus into a building that’s TWICE the size of the original one, and we only signed up 3 new kids to help fill it. We’re a non profit school that gets very little help from the parent groups. In most cases, the parents are the reason our kids need this place. Many come from beatings, molestations and other dysfunctional situations. In spite of all this … we send 90% of our seniors to COLLEGE!
NINETY percent ! ( truth )
Our kids thrive here. We give them respect when they don’t deserve it, and eventually … they get the idea. I swear, at least once a week, I’m brought to tears by the acts of kindness or growth that I see with these kids. I haven’t even been with this school for an entire year, and I already feel like I’m loosing family members at graduation. I hate to see them ( most of them ) go !

This is a wonderful gesture of community that Russ has started, and I know 96 kids ( and their teachers ) that will be forever changed and blessed by whatever contribution you can give to help them pursue, and achieve their dreams. We have no football team, no marching band, and no cheerleaders. We DO have chess masters, yoga experts, and fantastic, talented, artists, singers, dancers and musicians that can become useful, productive, CREATIVE members of the work force with your help.

Your contributions are tax deductible, heaven blessed, and certain to entertain and educate the musicians of tomorrow! Thanx for listening, and thanx to Russ for starting this wonderful movement in charity. Heartfelt blessing to you all, from Uncle Dave and his kids !

No problem...sign me up. I can perhaps donate a few musical items too?

zuki

Address ?
Make check payable to ?
Is it tax deductible ?

You got me.

The idea of donating individual pieces of equipment may be a good one. Only Dave knows. Whe he was here, I gave him, partly as a joke, a Morrell lap steel that I bought but never used. He tells me the kids are using and enjoying it. Maby he can post a list of incidentals...mikes, cables, music stands, mike stands, etc. needed to round things out.

Personally, your early response is a BIG thing to me...reaffirmation that there are caring people out there who will step up and help. It means so much to me that people I feel a kindship with are ready to support what I believe to be a wonderful joint project. It brings a whole new meaning to the concept of sharing the gift of music.

Dave will be posting details and progress as we define how things will work next week.

It's a really GOOD thing we're doing.

Russ

I'd like to get things started by making the first firm commitment. A month or so ago, I asked Dave if there was anything his school needed. He told me that they needed some Roland drum components and a controller keyboard...cost: $400.00 (man, that dude knows how to shop!). I was glad to send the $400.00 to the school (plus, that FINE lap steel-ha!).
I'd like to commit another $100.00 to the effort. That will buy 25% of the desk needed, some cables, wind screens, etc.

I'll wait for more direction from Dave next week, and when I get it, as they say..."the check is in the mail"!

Man, this feels GOOD!

Russ

Just makeing a comment to move up the folder list

Atta boy, Jerry !

I'd like to send a check to Dave. Pay Pal keeps wanting my Check Account # and I won't buy a candy bar on internet through my Bank Account. I enjoy walking into the bank and seeing the people that use my Bank Account Number. Ha! Ha!
I'll gladly send a check.
When is the Address etc. going to be posted.
Boo

Boo, send the check to me, and I'll cash it and send part of it to Dave.
DonM

We all have our charities, but Im sorry mine is The Burn Unit Foundation just seems so much more important to me as a burn victim myself as a child...just take a visit to your local burn unit & you'll see what I mean....there is nothing worse then being burned.

Good luck in your efforts to help the kids.

Thanks, Donny.
When you look around, the need is great in a lot of areas.

There is a burn unit at the children's rehab hospital I support. I'm also committed to a group thast lobbies for Nursing Home Reform and other non-profits.

This is a "one-shot" effort to support a group of kids and one of our own.

Best wishes.


Russ

Wow ........ this is so great - all this outpouring. I love it.
Your generous gifts can be made out to the school:

New Hope Academy

and sent to me @

David E. Boyd
244 Doone Rd
Fairless Hills Pa 19030

"stuff" can certainly be donated, as well, but the only disclaimer I must post is this:
We pride ourselves on giving these kids the state of teh art in every area of technology. That's why we use the highest end Mac's and software. We'd certainly love any gift you send our way, but in the modern studio setup that we teach from, there is little that is even a year old. We're very proud to offer this high end approach to the music production business, and we only buy the very best stuff to use as teaching aids.

With THAT said ........ again, I echo thinx for all your efforts. This was an unexpected surprise, and you are truly saving the lives of these kids by giving them something to keep them out of jail, or worse. I am so grateful that I found you people, tears ago ... and now, that I found this wonderful school.

Dave

Did you mention Jail, if so my understanding is it cost about $65,000 a year per prisoner incarcerated. keeping kids out of the street and jails in a no brainer. Certainly worth a few bucks IMHO.

Also moving this back to the top of the list.

My self appointed job.

Jerry

Hey, Dave..."the check is in the mail"!

Speaking of "STUFF", I found some more of those wonderful "Kentucky Nuggets". Thought of auctioning them off for donations, but think I would actually have to PAY people to take them.

How Sad, in light of the fact that "it's the REAL
S***!".


Say Hi to the kids for me!


"Redneck" Russ

Kids..hmmm..

alright.. alright... yep count me in...

Kids....

Just gotta love 'em I think...
I'll send mine out tomorrow morning or maybe even later today if'n I ever get outta here.

Well, the school had a "family fun night" at the school tonight, and I ran a sing-a-long. We made over $1000 for the prom and the drama committie! I'm amazed at the generosity ..... and then, I get home and the first check from the "zone" was in the mailbox, so this was a banner night !

I'll post a thank you list monthly, and I'm sure my boss will have a personal letter of thanx sent to each of you. God bless you all, and thanx for the effort. I'm proud to know you !

Dave do I just use your email address in your profile for PayPal payments?

[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-23-2007).]

Nigel,
I don't think it would be right to have payments made out to me, so paypal isn't really an option. If you're ok with it - I'd rather you make a check out to New Hope Academy, and mail it to me at home. I'll collect the checks and deliver them to school once a month. That way, you get the tax reciept too for a nonprofit donation.
Will that deter you from making a gift?

Quote

--------------------------------------------
Kids....

Just gotta love 'em I think...

I'll send mine out tomorrow morning or maybe even later today if'n I ever get outta here.
-------------------------------------------

Hey Bluzplayer I think they've got enough kids send a check it's a lot easier LOL

Don't get angry with me the devil made me do it.

Cheers

Jerry

Ah....jocularities, jocularities !
(M*A*S*H fans ! )

more about the school here: http://www.newhopeacademy.net/index.htm

Thanx guys !

No problem Dave. Will do.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-26-2007).]

What email address do I use to paypal?

Beakybird

Beak,
Please see Nigel's post above regarding Paypal.
I think it's best to keep my personal finances separate, but I'll be happy to transport yout gifts to the school !

(this is so very cool)

Thanx, all !
I had a thought in the buy & sell section too. Check it out !

Darn, Dave, I wanted my check to be the first one! Sent it our Friday (actually, just keeping the topic live)!

R.

Hee Hee ..... Russ, your money is welcome here ANYtime !

Just want to make sure that we don't forget this important joint project. Dave, even if we don't reach the $400 level by Sunday night, go ahead and order the desk. I'll be glad to contribute the difference. Just email me Sunday and....the check will be in the mail Monday.

Congrats on a successful show!

Russ

I mailed my check yesterday so that should arrive Monday all being well.

Ta Dah !!!!!
(tymp roll ............. )

First goal surpassed !
The month end total for March is $330 !
That means, my boss will kick in the extra to buy the desk right now, and I can set our sights on the next step. I guess, in order of importance, the PowerMac G5 is next, and that's a big ticket item. I'm sure this will take a while to reach this goal, but with all the generous gifts we've gotten already ... we're WAY ahead of the game. No matter how little you give, or how long it takes, these kids will benifit so much. I can't than you enough.

So......we start the nect leg of the race ........Power mac, " here we come ! "

(Love you long time, man!)

Please see the Challenge posted here. It's a chance to "increase the pot" by $200.00 by the week-end.

Russ

Not to interject Religion into this, but I think, especially this weekend, a special Prayer for Blessings on the Uncle Daves of this world is in order ...
t.

Only 6 or seven hours left for "phase one" of the challenge. Please, folks, I'm REALLY wanting this to work! I WANT to write those additional checks!


Russ

Aw Russ ........ you just can't stop yourself, can you? Give, give, give .... you're such a pest ! ( kidding, of course ! )

Love you all.
UD

As of 10:15 PM EST USA:
(drum roll .....)

$395 !!!

Is that the total thru midnight? If it is,I'll send a check for $105.00, per my challenge post. Then we can work on the $900.00 goal for midnight Sunday. If we make that, I'll send an additional $100.00.

Then, starting Monday, I'll match all contributions up to a $1000.00 personal total, including the first $400.00 for drum components and the controller.

Any size donation helps. And it feels REALLY GOOD!

R.

Will mail check Monday.
DonM

Thanks so much, Don! Miss your posts here, but understand.

You're a good friend.


Russ "Buck" Lay

Total thru today is $500.00....that's GREAT.

If we reach $900.00 by midnight Sunday, I'll contribute another $100.00.

That would mean we will have raised $1000.00.

Thanks, everyone!


Russ

I be REALLY happy if we reach our goal of $900.00 by midnight Sunday. That's $400.00 more dollars. If we do, I'll kick in another $100.00, making the total $1000.00. And, you can just email your pledge amount to Dave...it will count towards our Sunday night goal.

thanks,


Russ

I guess everyone was busy over the week-end. Our total stands at $500.00.

Starting today, I'll match every pledge uo to a total of $1000,00. Including my $400.00 initial donation, which does not count in the $500.00 current total, I have donated $605.00. I'll kick in an additional $400.00 in matching donations.

I'll write a check every Monday morning matching the total donations for the week, up to the $1005.00 amount.

Remember, you can email a pledge to Dave, and it will count the minute he records the email. (Then, send the check, please!).

This is something I'm really into, and appreciate all the help from you folks.

It's GREAT to be working on an important project like this together. We'll really make a difference in the lives of some deserving young folks.

Thanks,


Russ

Just a reminder that we're still hoping for on-going support for this project. We'll update
totals on Monday. Remember, I'll match every donation up to a personal total of $1005.00.


thanks,


Russ

Wow !

Today was a BLAST !

First - I turned in the $530 in contributions that you all gave my kids. Then I had a few of them begin to write thank you letters to each of teh donors! One little girl was so excited to see a member from Denmark! ( TommyF! )She LOVES language, and especially Disney movie language in other tongues.

Then, I sat down with my department chair, and we began to hash out the best way to optimize these "miracle" funds !
Here's what we came up with:
We looked at the present studio in the main campus, and determnined that with some creative "shifting" around, we could better use the furniture we had for MY campus, so I am taking the "L" corner unit for our mac station. That means we no longer have to buy a $400 desk ! After some discussion, we decided that since the new Mac is such a large expense, and will probably have to be financed - let's buy another 88 key digital piano, so we can have more hands-on at the same time! I bought a closeout Casio Privia555R for $450. This one has a mic input and built in legs ! I LOVE it. More ryhtms than the other models we have, and I'm keeping this one, along with the controller that Russ already donated at my campus. ( We have 26 kids, main campus has almost 70 ! ) So, the main campus will have 5 pianos, we'll have 2 !

I had some other smaller items, like cables, benches, pedals etc. that totaled $89, so we're sittin pretty with the teeniest, tiniest investment out of pocket - THANX TO ALL OF YOU !!!!!!!!!

The next step is to defray the cost of the new Mac and dual monitors. If I can raise about $1500 ..... I think my boss will allow us to finance the rest with Apple.

Thanx again ... this has been a really wonderful experience for everyone involved!

I'll get the thank you's out ASAP !

Dave...looks like I owe you another $30.00. I'm matching every contribution from the $500.00 mark (Sunday night) up to a $1000.00 (actually, $1005.00) point.

Please don't forget to email me the total as of this Sunday night/Monday morning.

Also, could you add the value of the Morrell lap steel to the acknowledgement from the school ($125.00)? Why not hold off on my "official" note (for tax purposes) until we're done with the matching challenge? Hopefully, that will happen soon.

Folks, I'm ANXIOUS to write those weekly matching challenge checks!


Russ

Russ,
You got it ! The Lap Steel (which gets played daily) will be added to you donor total for your tax receipt !
"Talk" to ya on Sunday night !
UD

THANKS!
The total for the project now stands at $600.00, so I'm sending my matching donation of $75.00 today.

I'll still be matching pledges up to a personal total of $1000.00, so you'll actually be doubling your contribution.

Dave and I both really appreciate your support.


Russ