BJFE / BearFoot fx Guitar Effects Community

I just wanted to share a story with some of you out there. I work with teens who are at the last frontier in the public school system. Due to behavior problems, I am the last stop before judicial or residential lock up. The vast majority of these kids end up here, not because they were born "bad," but all too often because of problems in the home with drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, etc...

Part of the program I run is about exposing kids to things they might not have otherwise been able to experience. Beyond the standard educational curriculum, I try to include lots of hands on with art, music, film, and other expressive media.

A few weeks ago, I privately shared with another member that I was putting together a few instruments to have at our center for the kids to use. Though I have never met this other member in person, this person took it upon them self to donate, not only, a very nice guitar, but a really choice delay pedal as well. Additionally, this person even paid shipping to Hawaii.

Folks, there are remarkable, generous, and thoughtful people amongst us. Hats off to a community spirit that lives and breathes in the vision of it's creators.

To the anonymous donor, thank you again!

Awesome story and a worthy cause! Thanks for doing the work you're doing Donnel! I never was in trouble, but I can relate to what some of those kids are going through, as my home life as a child was very hard as well. I'm sure your efforts mean a lot to them.

Your name here wrote:Awesome story and a worthy cause! Thanks for doing the work you're doing Donnel! I never was in trouble, but I can relate to what some of those kids are going through, as my home life as a child was very hard as well. I'm sure your efforts mean a lot to them.

Thanks!

Also, quick note, in no way was I posting this to solicit for donations, no pressure at all on that point. I just wanted folks to know another reason why the BJFE/Bearfoot site is

I really enjoyed reading this... helping people and bringing some happiness is not that difficult really.. good work!

One of the greatest gifts you can give kids is 'cultural capital', that is the idea that there is a value and a tangible 'wealth' that can be attained from experiencing music, dance, theatre etc.. particularily from a young age. This is like a currency or fortune that can not be lost or gambled away and has always been a corner stone of what we have come to know as civilization. Let's hang onto it!

The bi-product is creativity... and of course this creativity is a requirement for dealing with the fast pace of modern development we all surf upon now days.

Take kids to see some art... it will stay with them forever.