NAMM SHOW 2026

The NAMM show was a huge success for Guitars Not Guns! Our advisor’s Matt and Arion hit the show floor and made everlasting relationships with new and old vendors. Pictured L&M straps, Yamaha, and Gator to name a few. Thanks for all the superior representation our National Advisors made during this event! Special Thanks to Hiromi for being such a gracious host!

Congratulations to all the students for their enthusiastic participation in KIDS MUSIC DAY, & the YAMAHA CARES art project sponsored by Guitars Not Guns!

Students from Neighbors for Kids, Kids Zone in Oregon!

North East Elementary School in Maryland

Cecilton Elementary School in Maryland

Heartbroken for Minneapolis

At Guitars Not Guns, we are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to the children and families impacted by this horrific incident. We stand together in support during this difficult time, holding them in our thoughts and prayers.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS of serving Children in our Communities!

Thank you, Ray & Louise Nelson for giving the gift of Guitars Not Guns to so many deserving Children!!! We appreciate you, and honor you today and always!!

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Oregon Guitars Not Guns chapter takes the Yamaha Cares Upcycle Art Program Challenge 

On the Central Coast of Oregon, GNG chapter partners with youth teams from Neighbors for Kids, who will create artfull masterpieces  using recycled Yamaha guitars as their canvas. Completed projects will  be celebrated and final photos will be uploaded to coincide with the Annual Kids Music Day October 3rd 2025.

A big thank you to Yamaha Cares Music Program.

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Maryland Teen Giving Back

Lucas Stelzner is raising funds for Guitars Not Guns-Maryland Chapter of Allen’s Gift of Music

Way to go Lucas! Guitars Not Guns appreciates your talent, and encouragement to kids in need! We honored Lucas today with this very special post! As a thank you for your support and dedication to helping further our mission! “Hello, I’m Lucas Stelzner and I am raising money for an organization called Guitars Not Guns. I will be giving this money to the Maryland Chapter of this organization, called Allen’s Gift of Music. The goal of Guitars Not Guns is to provide guitar lessons to children whose lives are touched by violence in their community. They provide guitars, lessons, teachers, classroom space, and books to kids from across the U.S. and Canada. The reason I chose Guitars Not Guns is because of my own love of music and guitar. I have been playing guitar since I was 5 and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. I really think that learning music can have a huge impact on a kid’s life, changing it for the better in such amazing ways. I know that whenever I am feeling down and not my best, I can turn to my guitar and playing it brings me to a place of joy. I really want to give this experience to other kids, especially kids who have experienced the horror of gun violence in their lives.”

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Memorial Celebration at NAMM honoring our late founder Ray Nelson

25 Year Milestone Award Presented at the 2025 NAMM Show

Our National Board at the Annual NAMM Convention

Founder’s Ray and Louise Nelson, Pictured Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM

National Board left to right: Richard Salazar, Donna Hammond, Barbara Gorin, Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM,

Pictures from NAMM, National Board members pictured along with Chapter Directors from Oregon, Maryland, Contra Costa, CA and Sonoma, CA

California Artist Guitars Supported a Fundraiser