About
Guitarists for Good is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that shares its love of music by giving the gift of guitars, with a focus on those places serving the temporarily homeless in our communities. We find that the healing power of music offers peace of mind, the ability to cope with struggles, and comfort during a shelter stay.
To share the comfort of music
Our Mission
To share the comfort of music
Our Vision
Guitarists for Good shares its love of music by giving the gift of guitars, with a focus on those places serving the temporarily homeless in our communities. We find that the healing power of music offers peace of mind, the ability to cope with struggles, and comfort during a shelter stay.
Meet The Board
Sandy Green
After her daughter Amy and granddaughter, Silja Mae moved away in 2015, Sandy decided to try to keep the sadness at bay by trying her hand at guitar. A few months later, with a few chords under her belt, she was introduced to Wayne’s guitar Meetup community and was immediately met with love and acceptance. One month later, she picked the name Guitarists for Good and started talking about the good we guitarists could accomplish — together. A visit on Valentine's Day, 2016, to see her little sister with Big Brother’s Big Sisters (who was staying at a Raleigh teen homeless shelter), was the turning point.
She learned that they had no instruments and decided to find some. She invited her new guitar community over for the first Kampfire Karaoke group jam — led by former board member- Wayne Mills, and by the end of that night 5 guitars and several hundred dollars were pledged. Guitarists for Good was a thing. Sandy is the Event Manager at Local Government Federal Credit Union, in Raleigh.
Meanwhile, back in Kansas, her daughter Amy and granddaughter Silja Mae — who serves Guitarists for Good as an honorary Youth Ambassador, make sure Gigi maintains her cool factor. Sandy was born in Kansas, moved to NC in 2006, and has been singing since she was born.
Mark Scheuerlein
Mark has been a Raleigh resident since coming to NC State in the 80s. Mark's love for music started early as one of his prized toys as a toddler was a plastic guitar. Mark discovered Raleigh venues like the Fallout Shelter and The Brewery where he discovered that his skills were better suited to the mixing board than the guitar. Mark is a fan of all genres of music from sub-Saharan rock to Tuvan throat-singing, and conversations with him are often filled with snippets from song lyrics.
He helped Sandy learn her first few chords when she was first inspired to learn to play guitar, so in some ways perhaps he's the grandfather of GfG...or maybe more it's weird uncle. As an Eagle Scout, Mark learned early on the power of community involvement and service and continues that tradition of community service through Guitarists for Good.
Alex Wechsler
Alex moved around a lot growing up, and music quickly became his go-to for dealing with the noise and frustration that came with constant change. Over the years, he tried out a bunch of instruments and eventually ended up as a drummer in his school’s marching band. That’s when he realized something pretty cool—music brings people together, no matter how different their views might be. It was a refreshing contrast to things like debate club or political groups.
At the same time, Alex was diving into tech. He’s always loved figuring out how things work—and how to make them work better. With over 30 years of experience in engineering and problem-solving, he’s spent his career looking for ways to use those skills to make a real difference, ideally with a creative twist.
These days, he’s still blending those two sides of himself. After marrying someone who shares his love of music (and plays a mean piano), he finally picked up the guitar and joined a local music meetup. A few years and a lot of lessons later, he’s still loving the instrument—and even writing a few songs of his own.​
Brian Jones
Brian Jones is a Raleigh, NC open mic host and a dedicated board member of the Guitarists for Good. Born in Greenville, NC and raised in Raleigh, he has deep roots in the community and is passionate about serving and enriching the lives of its residents. With his versatile musical talents, Brian is a skilled guitarist, bassist, and a captivating singer.
Brian's love for music was nurtured by his father, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for classic rock, transcending the grunge era of his high school days. This upbringing not only shaped his musical taste but also emphasized the importance of being a good person, both on and off the stage.
Adding a touch of charm to his performances, Brian's loyal companion, Willie Nelson, his beloved dog, shares his love for music. In the early days of Brian's open mic journey, Willie Nelson could often be heard joining in the music with his enthusiastic barks, creating a unique and memorable experience for everyone present.
Through his talent, dedication, and commitment to community service, Brian Jones continues to make a positive impact in Raleigh's music scene while embodying the values of harmony, artistic expression, and the power of being a good man.
Dave Crout
A proud volunteer with Guitars For Vets, where I teach guitar and share the healing power of music with Veterans living with PTSD. This program is close to my heart, and it’s been an honor to help those who’ve served our country find peace and connection through music. If you're a Veteran or want to get involved, I’m always happy to help you get started!
Originally from snowy Syracuse, NY, I’ve been working in technology for over 30 years — first in construction, then diving into IT with degrees in Computer Science and Math. My career took me through everything from writing medical software at Yale to years of development work at Aetna, and later supporting IT needs at my church while running my own consulting business, PolarBearTech.
Outside of music and tech, I’m a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th Degree) and the Triangle Italian American Heritage Association. I love swimming, biking, traveling, and, of course, playing guitar.
Life’s been full of blessings — but giving back through music is by far one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.
Chuck Tryon
Chuck grew up near Atlanta where he fell in love with bands like R.E.M., the B52s, Drivin N Cryin, and Guadalcanal Diary, bands that helped him cultivate a love for jangly guitars and to recognize the power of music. He eventually earned a doctorate in English from Purdue University and spent nearly two decades teaching at Fayetteville State University, where his research focused on how streaming video was changing the film and TV industries. More recently he has relocated to Massachusetts, where continues to teach in a variety of settings.
Chuck has long been passionate about social justice. He leads his local Indivisible group and helped organize a number of town halls. He's a youth soccer coach and an avid jogger. And he hopes to bring his skills as a writer and organizer to help Guitarists for Good spread access to playing music.