 Bernie Madoff, AIG bonuses, trillions of dollars of losses, and federal bailouts. All of the bad news today could probably comprise a whole new “We Didn’t Start the Fire” song.
Despite the gloom, great things are still happening in our industry. Following up on a successful feature last year, we will focus on manufacturers who are making a difference.
We’re going to present the companies’ efforts in random order. Let’s start with Yamaha. The company’s charity, Yamaha Cares, had employees run marathons to raise $9,138 for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s (Calif.) juvenile diabetes research program. The cause especially hits home for David Jewell, Yamaha’s marketing manager for its drum division. Jewell’s daughter, Katrina, now 16, was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes three years ago. “Katrina does great with her treatments,” said Jewell. “I wanted to do something for her and also to help create more awareness…Rick Drumm, president of musical instrument string company D’Addario, came out early from New York to run the race and we finished within a second of each other.”
Speaking of D’Addario, the company’s Music Foundation awarded more than $155,000 in grant money and $33,000 in products. Among the donations was $5,000 to Roots of Music, a New Orleans afterschool program.
The Rock House Method loves to make dreams come true. Three fans were lucky enough to be invited to a DVD shoot and were able to meet Michael Paget of the band My Bullet For Valentine. “Later in the day I received a message on the Rock House Facebook page that the boys were all in Mike’s room practicing with the Rock House DVDs we gave them. How is that for inspiration and motivation?” said Rock House executive director Joe Palombo.
Peavey endowed $60,000 to support curricula at the Delta Music Institute, which is part of Delta State University in Mississippi. “The music of the Mississippi Delta has influenced countless musicians around the world, and it inspired my lifelong passion for making the tools that allow us to create music,” said Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics Corporation.
Musicorp’s Sierra Guitars division sponsored the MUSC Awareness Rocks benefit rock concert in the Isle of Palms, S.C., in January. Proceeds benefitted the Yul Brynner Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Foundation.
Kaces donated hard shell guitar cases to the Phoenix Theater Center. The center allows young rockers to hang out, study, and learn about the music business.
 Sennheiser supports Musicorps, a program that provides injured combat veterans recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with professional-grade recording equipment, individualized training and musical collaborators so that they can learn more about and create music as part of their rehabilitations.
Alfred donated several products to VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant recipient schools as part of the Music in the Schools program. Alfred provided music scores, method books, and supplementary materials to the American Voices Association, which works to further the appreciation and understanding of American music and culture.
Daisy Rock hosted its sold out “Pretty in Punk—A Tribute to the Runaways & 5th Annual Charity Event” in Los Angeles on March 13. All proceeds from the concert benefitted the Tianna Teegarden Memorial Fund through The Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Samick Music provided five Greg Bennett guitars that Gordy Wilcher, owner of Owensboro Music in Kentucky, placed in local firehouses.
Indie Guitar Co. has teamed up with Myles Goodwyn of April Wine to create a signature guitar. For every guitar sold in the United States and Canada, Indie Guitar is donating $25 to juvenile diabetes research.
Over at Community Professional Loudspeakers, the company has continued its support of the Rock 4 Xmas Foundation. The last charity tour included a performance by Eddie Money. The foundation supports more than 20 charities including Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs. Community provided M12 and XLT48E stage monitors.
 Twelve Fender Stratocaster specially-designed guitars were auctioned off during an auction called GuitarMania 3 at Casino Arizona on March 23. Guitars auctioned off included one that was designed by Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Proceeds from the guitars went to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jim White, national accounts manager for Jupiter Band Instruments, teamed up with Barry Carroll of Music and Arts to help a girl scout, Meghan Allison, who wanted to help the Crossnore children’s home start a music program. White and Carroll teamed up to donate five new instruments to the cause.
Visual Sound has made a visual effort in the fight against AIDS. The company donates a portion of money from every product sold to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Visual Sound donates the funds to EngageHIVAIDS.com.
Remo has made a great effort to spread the power of music to Iraq. The company sponsors Ashti Drum, which means “Peace Drum” in Kurdish. Iraqis have been trained to conduct and perform in drum circles and through the teachings of Christine Stevens and Craig Woodson, who go to Iraq to train people on how drums can help develop leaders, resolve conflicts, and more.
And of course, there is the NAMM Foundation. The NAMM Foundation was involved with numerous charitable events including many advocacy efforts. There are too many donations to list, but some of the highlights include more than $1.1 million the foundation provided for 26 music programs in the last year alone.
Gretsch hosted its “Next Gretsch Greats” contest where the company provided thousands of dollars worth of guitar and drum gear. The company also supports the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, and sponsors the Gretsch Institute, a music, art, and dance camp elementary- and middle-school students.
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