On December 1, 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. Governor Perdue selected the school at an event in his office with students, faculty and members of the local businesses making the donations. The school is a part of a successful initiative to redevelop the community of East Lake and will use the musical instruments to build a strong music program. Georgia native Dave Adelman, former President of the National Pawnbrokers Association, spear-headed the effort with the Governor.




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.  Businesses in Warner Robins, LaGrange, Conyers, Kingsland, Norcross, Fort Valley and Macon took part in Gift Day donations. Pawn shops traditionally have a history of donating musical instruments and awarding scholarships to support the young members of their communities. For more information on this effort, visit www.GiftDay.org.

For digital photographs & press release of the Governors Gift Day ceremony: www.giftday.org/gagov.html

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