Shige's New Sax

Shigemasa Nakano falls perfectly into the category of people who don't ask for help often. In fact, I do not plan on telling him that I have set up this account because he would probably ask me to take it down. But I know that there's power in numbers and I would like to share Shige's story.
In May 2011, Shige moved from Tokyo to NYC to pursue music. As many of you may already know, Shige's talent and dedication have allowed him to sustain a living from performing for strangers every day. Having studied opera in Japan, Shige is able to catch the attention of many passerby's from his voice alone. However, his soprano saxophone has been his right hand since he arrived in the U.S. It's a nice, lightweight instrument that carries a lot of soul and a sound that Shige has felt a connection to more than any other instrument. He has written countless solos and survived many weeks performing in the subway with his dear friend.
Early last week, after performing one last show with his sax, he headed home and stopped for a quick late-night snack at the Starbucks in the Port Authority terminal. Not long after he left, he realized that he had left the instrument sitting alone in the terminal. When he returned, it was not where he left it. He frantically searched the area, contacted the police and the Port Authority lost and found, but nobody had turned in the instrument. The Port Authority lost and found even stated that 9 times out of 10, valuable items are never returned to that terminal. As time drew on, it became painfully apparent that his saxophone had been stolen.
Shige was truly devastated. Not only did he spend $2,500 for the instrument, but it was his friend, source of income, and piece of home. It was what he carried with him, day after day for the past 4 years and now he is beginning to accept it's permanent absence. I asked him if he was doing okay because I knew what the instrument meant to him, and his answer surprised me. Despite the fact that he had just lost something extremely valuable, he expressed the fact that he actually feels very blessed. After his last performance, he received several emails from friends that were kind and uplifting. He said this was just what he needed to know that he'll be okay without his saxophone. And although I also know he will be okay without his saxophone, I strongly feel that he deserves to have one again. He deserves to keep developing his talent rather than let it rest, to feel the joy and freedom that this instrument brings him, and to keep sharing more of the beautiful music that captures hearts like it did mine and many others.
Again, I feel there is strength in numbers and I'm reaching out to all of the people who have grown to know Shige as the person he is, and maybe even some who haven't met him yet but would like to help. Whatever you are able to give, I know Shige will be forever astonished and grateful. My goal is to reach $2,500 (the amount Shige spent on his first soprano saxophone). If 100 people are able to donate $25, we will make the unthinkable happen for Shige. He is not expecting to afford another instrument like that for several years, and given that he used it every day to make a living, several years is a devastatingly long time. Any amount you're able to contribute (even just a couple dollars helps!) would be so so great. If we reach the goal, I will record a video of Shige's reaction as I explain what we have done for him. If you've ever seen Shige react to surprises, you know this will be GOLD.