Guitars Not Guns, Inc. - California: RIP Founder Ray Nelson

Monday, January 22, 2024

RIP Founder Ray Nelson - January 6, 2024

It’s with a heavy heart we learned the passing of our Guitars Not Guns children’s music charity Founder Ray Nelson on January 6, 2024. He was 93 years old.

Ray and his wife, Co-Founder, Louise Nelson both had a vision to create a program that focused, not only on teaching free guitar lessons to foster and at risk children but also as a tool to empower and uplift young lives, through the gift of music.

2024 is a new year and we are looking forward to carry on his mission and continue to support Guitars Not Guns in his honor. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that his vision of using music to empower children lives on, bringing joy, hope, and inspiration to future generations.

Rest in peace, Ray Nelson. Your legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of those who believe in the transformative power of music. We love you

Barbara Gorin

Director - President, Contra Costa County Chapter
Overseer of Fundraising and PR
Guitars Not Guns
Cell: 925-785-8342
Email; Barbara.Gorin@guitarsnotguns.org

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How You Can Help

Guitars Not Guns, Inc. in California is entirely a volunteer organization. It has no employees so all donations are used to fulfill Our Mission to provide free guitars and lessons to foster kids, at risk youth and other deserving children ages 8 to 18 years old.

We need volunteer guitar instructors, classroom assistants, grant writers, bookkeepers, fundraisers and program leaders. You do not have to know how to play guitar to be a volunteer.

To volunteer go the "Volunteer" page and follow the instructions. We and the kids can always use your help.

How The Program Works

We "loan" guitars and guitar accessories to our students that they are to use to practice and carefully maintain for eight (8) weeks of one hour per week classes. The students and their guardians sign a lease contract for the equipment and most care for the guitars. The guitar may be the only personal item the student has ever possessed since foster children may move multiple times each year from guardian to guardian or facility to facility.. The object of the contract is to teach the students to take care of possessions. The students are not told this but, upon successful completion of the first level of classes, the guitars and accessories will be given to them to keep at no cost. The final class is a party to celebrate completion of the eight week program. The students play and we bring in accomplished musicians, some that are their age, to motivate them to further study with us and independently. For some, it is the first time they have been exposed to live music.