Guitars not Guns - Dale Anderson
Dale Anderson started a local chapter of 'Guitars not Guns', a national organization for helping at-risk teens find an alternative to violence. The mission of the group is to provide guitars and lessons to foster children, at-risk youth, and other deserving kids. The group provides the teens with their first guitar and no teens are turned away for lack of funds. Local music stores and guitar manufacturers offer guitars and materials at their cost to promote the program. The program builds self esteem and confidence in the teens and empowers them to make wise choices in life.
Dale was a deputy with the Arroyo Grande police department and the resource officer at
They hold three classes per year with 10 to 12 students per class. The students learn three chords during their 8 week course. The students are expected to attend class one hour per week and practice at least 30 minutes per day. At the end of the class students receive a guitar and a gig bag. A second 8 week course is offered for those students who choose to continue. Students who complete the second course are eligible for a scholarship to attend a local music academy. The music academy is a concentrated program where students attend class two hours per day. Students who complete the music academy are encouraged to return to mentor and tutor students in the beginning programs.
It costs $80 - $100 per student for the classes so $1000 donations are sought to fund each of the three classes per year. For more information visit www.guitarsnotguns.org or contact Dale at depdale@charter.net .