PAWNBROKERS PLAY SANTA CLAUS

Pawn shops in 17 states across the country are joining forces this holiday season to provide underprivileged children with hundreds of musical instruments. The National Pawnbrokers Association, who is sponsoring the event, has christened the effort Musical Instrument Gift Day, and the program is designed to put musical instruments into the hands of children who need them the most.

This effort is part of a larger program held in honor of St. Nicholas Day – Patron Saint of Pawnbroking - and National Pawnbrokers Day, December 6. Pawn shops across the country are organizing donation drives to supply badly needed musical instruments to local charity organizations and schools who, due to drastic budget cuts in state education funds, can’t supply enough instruments to form a small band. For more information on this effort, visit www.GiftDay.org.

Pawn shops traditionally have a history of donating musical instruments and awarding scholarships to support the young members of their communities. On December 1, Georgia's Governor Sonny Perdue met with pawnbrokers from around the state to take part in the National Pawnbrokers Association’s Musical Instrument Gift Day. At least 8 Georgia pawn shop owners pledged over 70 instruments to donate to the Charles R. Drew Charter School, located in a troubled suburb of Atlanta.

Studies show the importance of music education in the development of a child’s mind. According to the College Entrance Examination Board, students in music appreciation score 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math when they take the SAT. David Crume, President of the National Pawnbrokers Association, stresses the importance of reaching out to the community to support education. “It’s feels great to know that while state education boards are slashing budgets, we can still make a difference.”

The NPA is experiencing an enthusiastic reception from members in Enterprise and across the country. Pawn store owners from as far as Canada are stepping forward to support this cause. Says Crume, “This is going to change a lot of lives for the better.”

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Added: December 05, 2009. 04:29 PM CST

Pawnbrokers = St. Nicholas

For folks who may be unfamiliar with St. Nicholas, the Feast of St. Nicholas in the U.S. is celebrated on December 6th. The three gold balls that usually hang in front of pawnbrokers shops symbolize the three bags of gold St. Nicholas gave a man in his town who had fallen on hard times. The bags of gold enabled the man's daughters to have doweries and marry, rather than become prostitutes. It's heartwarming to see a bit of his generous spirit continue. At this time of year, especially, please keep the millions of vulnerable children in dire straits in your prayers--some will not have enough food to eat or adequate shelter this winter. Blessings to all, Santa Claus (TheSantaClausFoundation dot org)

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