Four Luthiers, Four Guitars, For the Kids: How 4 luthiers are showing us the meaning of giving back
Lakeland, April 15, 2022– Luthiers For A Cause (LFAC), a philanthropic initiative run by luthiers, returns to make a difference in the lives of medically fragile children. In 2022, four of the world’s most distinguished guitar builders have come together to create four unique guitars in benefit of the Ukulele Kids Club mission of supporting medically fragile children through music.
Steve Grimes of Grimes Guitars, Ben Wilborn of Wilborn Guitars, Peter Robson of Robson Acoustic Guitars, and Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars have all volunteered their time and talents to craft a family of four different sized guitars, all made of master grade Maple and Sitka Spruce. Grimes, who has donated all of the woods used for this project, says he joined the project because of his “desire to contribute to a wonderful cause and organization.” While Jay Lichty, founding member of LFAC and a luthier in North Carolina has shared: “I am extremely honored to once again be involved with a Luthiers for a Cause project. I get to do what I love to do and work with some great Luthiers and at the end of the day, it’s all for a great cause. Now that feels good.”
The Ukulele Kids Club Inc. (UKC) a 501c3 non profit that supports medically fragile children through music, is chosen as the beneficiary of this project because of their ability to bring widespread health and healing to children and youth who need it most. Through donations of its signature instrument, the UKC helps children learn how to apply music for wellness, in collaboration with music therapists around the world. The UKC partners with over 270 music therapy programs globally and has donated over 12,000 ukuleles since its inception in 2013. Last year, they launched their new program UKC AT HOME, aimed at supporting kids at home at no cost to them.
“We are so thankful to be chosen as the non-profit organization that will benefit from Luthiers for A Cause.” said Marlen Rodriguez Wolfe, Music Therapist and CEO of Ukulele Kids Club. “Our mission of transforming lives through music is made possible by the support of those in the music community, who have experienced for themselves the power of music. To have world-class luthiers sharing their immense talent for the benefit of children means so much to us”.
Music merchants and retailers are also stepping up to help the luthiers give back to children in need. Dream Guitars, the highly renowned online instrument retailer, is partnering with LFAC as the platform that will sell these one-of-a-kind guitars. “"We are all in this life together and we should take care of each other. That's what I believe and that's what Luthiers For A Cause (LFAC) is all about. If you are a guitar lover, here is your chance to get a new guitar AND help children by providing the gift of Music Therapy. Imagine children being given a Ukulele and lessons so that music can be a big part of their healing. I know every guitar lover knows the magic of music and it's been proven time and time again to have healing powers. You have the power to help!” said Paul Heumiller, founder of Dream Guitars. All partners and luthiers are in agreement that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the guitars will benefit the Ukulele Kids Club Inc. Dream Guitars will post these incredible masterpieces for sale as individual buys or a purchased set starting early November, 2022.
The Luthiers for A Cause 2022 project is also made possible with the generous donations of materials and support from TKL Cases, Rodgers Tuning Machines, Craig Lavin Custom Inlays and StewMac.
Please visit www.LuthiersforaCause.org to learn more and keep up with the latest information on these one-of-a-kind builds.
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About Luthiers for a Cause
Launched in 2017, Luthiers for a Cause is a fundraising initiative that brings together world-class luthiers to make custom instruments in benefit of a charitable organization. Their first build of 6 unique ukuleles raised over $100,000 for the Ukulele Kids Club Inc.
About the Ukulele Kids Club Inc.
The Ukulele Kids Club (UKC) is a nonprofit organization based in Lakeland, Florida. The UKC has directly supported the healthcare of over 12,000 children through music, music therapy and donations of its signature instrument. The UKC works with more than 270 music therapy programs in the U.S. and internationally, including Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the United Kingdom. The UKC is a platinum-level GuideStar participant; Learn more at www.theukc.org.
About Dream Guitars
For nearly two decades, Dream Guitars has been the preeminent dealer of high-end acoustic guitars, offering a first class experience with real expertise and guidance to the player and collector alike. Dream Guitars stocks an inventory of the finest steel string, nylon string, and electric guitars, while maintaining relationships with the best luthiers on the planet to get custom built instruments into the hands of those wanting the ultimate build experience. Call us at 828-658-9795 or visit our website at www.dreamguitars.com to find your dream guitar.
Press Contact
Jay Lichty, Luthier
828-817-1460
lichtyguitars@gmail.com