Tom Petty, Jack Johnson and Jon Foreman instrument auction to benefit Guitars in the Classroom

Musicians Tom Petty, Jack Johnson and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot have autographed and donated instruments to the Encinitas-based non-profit Guitars in the Classroom to raise funds for an 11-day online auction titled Peace & Love Through Music. The auction runs November 18 through the 28.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers signed a solid cedar top Greg Bennett Rio Grande OM15 CE guitar for GITC, and Petty and Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman also signed a sunburst Fender Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster provided by the Fender Music Foundation. Jack Johnson personally donated and signed a beautiful KoAloha koa wood soprano ukulele through his Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. As a part of the auction, Guitars in the Classroom will also offer a selection of items that include one of a kind artisan gifts, special experiences, celebrity and local music lessons, and wonderful tools for the musician, teacher, and music lover.

The online event is designed to fund free musical programs, music therapy, training and supplies and is co-sponsored by two other music non-profits, Resounding Joy and the Playing for Change Foundation, along with a charity founded to teach kids to foster peace in the world: Kids for Peace.

Supporters can access the campaign and participate in the auction by visiting www.peacelovethrumusic.com.

GITC has plans to boost funds to the Los Angeles area in coming months by expanding support to the South Central L.A.-area Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center and additional L.A. Unified Schools and Conejo Valley where the organization has had a presence for the last three and two years respectively.

About Guitars in the Classroom
Guitars In The Classroom is a non-profit organization providing innovative musical training for K-8 classroom teachers so all students may experience the benefits of learning through making music. GITC's free programs deliver ongoing instruction, access to instruments, and educational materials to infuse the academic curriculum with creative learning in sustainable, grassroots programs, nationwide. For further information and to get involved, please contact executive director Jessica Anne Baron at jess@guitarsintheclassroom.org or via telephone at 760-452-6123, and online at www.guitarsintheclassroom.org.