Support Peace Player Drummers, Families affected by LA Fires

My Name is Gerald C. Rivers, and I am originally from Compton, CA. I serve as an Artist in residence at several different schools in the greater LA Area and I am the founder and director of an incredible African Drumming program for youth in Southern California called The Peace Players. It is incredible because it is far more than a drumming or music program. It is a life program promoting Peace, Love and Positivity through Music, Service and Community. The program has been in existence for over a decade, and during that time we have seen hundreds of youth gain confidence and find a real sense of life purpose and values through their participation in the group.

The group is committed to community service and building great citizens. Many of our Youth from the group have gone on to college and many have become community leaders, frequently naming their time in the group as part of what inspires them to lead.

Their Families become our families.

When the recent (current) fires broke out in LA, Pasadena, Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, I was disheartened/heartbroken to learn that serval of these students and families (both current participants and alumni) have lost everything. EVERY THING. Parents and families in the program have been contacting me, and of all the things that their children are devastated over, they are most upset about losing their drums in the fire. The parents and members of the group have asked if we could do a fund raiser to help replace their lost or destroyed authentic West African Handmade Drums or Djembes. Of course, OF COURSE I said. So here I am, doing just that.

With our new partners in Guinea, we have placed the order already to purchase new instruments for all those who lost theirs in the fire. We are almost halfway to our goal but we are going forward anyway, knowing somehow we will reach it with your help.

Some may ASK, should this be a priority given the current circumstances? To that I say, Learn the power of Music and African Drumming. African drumming is a powerful healing modality and assists in stress relief, lowers cortisone levels, is a form of meditation and serves as an additional coping mechanism, ALL of which are extremely important right now. In addition, the Group has upcoming performances and those students want to participate, as they always have. Will you help us?

Replacing these drums is one way to restore some sanity, normalcy and community to these young lives. Lives which have been turned upside down by these recent tragedies. And more importantly, it is what they are asking for. Parents told me they lost everything and the first thing my students asked about was, "What about my drum?" These students have been with me for years as a part of this program, some since the third grade. Their schools are gone, their churches have been burned to the ground, their homes are lost, but the music lives on in their hearts and provides some solace and escape from the madness.

FIMA and the Red Cross are in LA and hopefully are working to help families in need and in crisis. I personally witnessed some of the devastation in Altadena and Pasadena myself with my own eyes. I also witnessed the sea of humanity, and some churches and community organizations offering help and stepping up to support those in needs.

The funds for this campaign are specifically to restore music and drumming in their lives by purchasing brand new, handmade, authentic west African Djembes from Guinea to replace the ones they lost in the fire.

Roughly speaking, each djembe to be replaced costs between $300 and $600, plus the cost of shipping from Africa and at the moment we are sure there are at least 20 drums that need to be replaced, likely more.

Any additional funds raised will go directly to the families in need in the form of cash, checks and gift cards to purchase clothes, food and whatever they need. There are lots of ways you can help and get involved in the recovery effort in California, and this campaign is very specifically to meet the requested needs of Middle School students involved in this life changing program. Artists, Actors, Musicians, Drummers, Dancers, Educators, Patrons of the Arts and all around good souls, you know the importance of this kind of program. Help us support these young people in the way they have specifically asked.

Peace and God Bless you for your efforts and contributions no matter how large or small.

Thank you