Guitars Not Guns to Donate 200 Keith Urban Yamaha Guitars to South Monterey County School Districts

The Monterey County Chapter of Guitars Not Guns, in conjunction with the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), distributed 200 Keith Urban Yamaha Guitars, along with Gator guitar cases, to 10 South Monterey County school districts on Monday, April 22 at MCOE in Conference Room AB. Thanks to Monterey County Gives, an annual charitable giving campaign organized and implemented by the Monterey County Weekly, the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and the Monterey Peninsula, the local grassroots all-volunteer organization received over $25,000 in donations this year from close to 200 donors both large and small, making this the largest all-at-once guitar donation in the history of Guitars Not Guns.

Guitars Not Guns is a nonprofit charity providing guitars and lessons to at-risk youth in an effort to provide them with an alternative to violence. In the last 13 years, the local Chapter of Guitars Not Guns has served over 3,000 children in Monterey County. This year their Monterey County Gives’ “Big Idea” was to build on their ongoing musical programs and help ensure that all schools have access to guitars and related accessories. Once the funds were secured, Director Steve Vagnini contacted Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss, who helped identify schools in need of support for musical programs.

“We are so grateful for this extremely generous donation, and we’re thrilled to help support this important non-profit that will help music programs in South County thrive,” said Dr. Guss.

In 2010 the Monterey County Chapter of Guitars Not Guns was formed, and over the years, the all-volunteer Non-Profit has grown into the most active and vibrant chapter in the Country. Many Guitars Not Guns students are now playing in bands in Monterey County and beyond. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Guitars Not Guns has remained resilient, utilizing platforms like Zoom to continue its mission. Since 2022, the organization has steadily reintegrated into classrooms across Monterey County. The demand for their services has never been more pressing, and the need is greater than ever.

Mr. Vagnini, who co-founded the Monterey County chapter of Guitars Not Guns, has served as the chair of the National Board of the organization for the last three years and has helped open chapters in San Benito, Marina, and Sonoma counties in California as well as a new chapter in Chicago, Illinois.

Watch the event in the news on KSBW8.