National Pawn Donation Eases Band Instrument Shortage in Triangle Middle Schools

Online, September 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Bob Moulton, owner of National Pawn and the 2010 National Pawnbroker of the Year, recently donated more than 300 instruments, along with checks totaling $6000 to off-set future repair and maintenance costs for their instruments, to the Durham, Orange and Wake County school districts. The donations marked the beginning of Band C.A.M.P. (Community Assisting Musicians Program) an ongoing effort to provide instruments to middle school band programs.

"I am a proud former 'Band Geek' who knows first-hand what it is like to want to learn how to play, but not have an instrument. I want to help as many students as I can to realize their dreams of becoming musicians," said Moulton. "My first instrument was purchased at a yard sale. It was barely adequate to say the least. A year later I was able to purchase a better one at a pawn store."

Cuts in education budgets have hit the arts programs especially hard for the past several years.

"We are in dire need of band instruments, especially here at Chewning Middle School," said Principal John Williams, Chewning Middle School, Durham Public Schools. "We have 65 students without instruments. Mr. Moulton's generous donation is greatly appreciated."

"I have kept my flute that I played when I was in school band. It has a great deal of sentimental value to me," said Dr. Julie Spencer, middle school superintendent for Durham Public Schools. "However, during the ceremony...I realized its true value to a student who wants to play today, but doesn't have an instrument. I am going to donate it to the program. I urge all the other former band musicians in the Triangle to do the same."

Moulton will be donating instruments that are pawned at his eight national Pawn stores on an ongoing basis. Additionally, the public is encouraged to donate their instruments. Instruments can be dropped off at any National Pawn store.