Musical instruments - Boardies help needed

My wife and I enjoy going on the One Love pub crawl every chance we get. On a pub crawl trip a couple of years ago I asked Lenbert what we could bring to help the children and give something back to the town we love so much. Lenbert's reply surprised me at first but the more we discussed it the more it made sense. He said "musical instruments". He and I both know that children that have an interest in music are more focused and typically do better in school. So on our last trip we ended up taking 50+ musical instruments. Many of the instruments were simple rhythm instruments such as tambourines, maracas, recorders, harmonicas, etc. We were even able to include one fiddle. The instruments were not given to the kids during the pub crawl, but were given to Lenbert to let the children use when he takes them to the beach on Saturdays. The video he recorded of the kids playing the instruments was a beautiful cacophony of noise! :)

Here is where I need the Boardies help. When we return in November we would like to take higher quality instruments. If you could, look in your attics, closets, under beds to see if you have instruments in good usable condition you would be willing to donate to the kids of Negril. If you do have instruments you could either take them with you and give them to Lenbert, or ship them to me and I will make sure they get there. If the instruments are shipped to me, I would be happy to reimburse you for shipping costs. Last time I had several offers of guitars but had no idea how I could get 10 guitars to Jamaica without major expense. I would like to have smaller instruments that can be packed into suitcases such as flutes, trumpets, woodwind instruments, etc. Space is a limitation, but I am happy to pay the extra baggage fees for a couple extra suitcases if we have enough instruments.

Someone suggested a gofundme account for this project, but I feel like that is overused and should be used for more important issues.

I know many of the Boardies are getting prepared for their April reach and it is the perfect time to look for any instruments you may have that you are willing to donate. If you have instruments that you are willing to ship to me, please PM me and I will send you my mailing address.

We are also VERY open to other suggestions about getting musical instruments to these children.

Thank you and Jah bless!

Greg and Kelly

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I'll be bringing about a half dozen recorders or so next week. Usually bring a few packs of guitar strings as well. Westjet lets you bring an extra suitcase for free if it's aid related stuff.

What a great idea! Sorry we will miss you and Kelly this year. So nice to have met both of you. I leave in about 2 weeks and am packing now. I have sooo many goodies to give away, I cannot fit anything else in my suitcases. Had to take some of my clothes out. Lol. I will definitely keep this idea in mind for future trips. While I respect the opinions of others, I'm afraid I'll give my items away as I see fit. Love your pics!

Janet

Hey Janet! We will miss being there this spring. We go back in November and we are bringing all the kids again next spring for our 35th anniversary. Two years ago we talked dear friends into their first trip to Jamaica with us. We had to promise we would go to Bike Week in Daytona with them, so that's what we did this spring instead of Jamaica.

It looks like I will be buying the instruments myself to bring in November. I have a friend that owns a music shop that can get me the instruments wholesale, so that helps.

Have a great trip and tell everyone Hello from us! When we go next spring it will either be the 3rd or 4th week of April, so we will probably overlap with some of the boardies at the very least!

just an idea but...... what would it cost to buy them down there in mobay or sav

It's a thought.....never priced them there

You should check with hotels/resorts that have access to stateside shipping such as out of Miami or with the OneLove Brigade. They shipped hundreds of bikes to Mobay this year and I think they are based in Minnesota. The NEET program works with Travellers Resort for youth programs & one of them is donating musical instruments The owner is a wonderful man, Winston Wellington, he would give you the right info. Hope this helps.

GregandKelly63...what a wonderful and generous gift you're offering!!

Jahmyheart is correct about the NEET program...Rob and Mr. Wellington are good friends and he'll soon be talking to him on your behalf. Rob also has another good friend/business partner whom may have a way of getting this done through the schools here...we'll private message you as soon as we hear something fairly concrete.

check out the music store in sav....?/?//
cant remember the name or place.....

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Thanks Rob and Lisa! Looking forward to hearing from you!