WHAT IS THE WANNA PLAY FUND?

The NAMM Foundation announced today that it will be launching its non-profit Wanna Play Fund tomorrow night on "Huckabee," a weekly FOX News and commentary program hosted by Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and 2008 Republican presidential candidate.

The Wanna Play Fund seeks public donations to support programs and activities that strengthen music education in schools and provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn to play music.

As an avid supporter of the vital role music education has for all children and of the benefits playing music has for people of all ages, Gov. Huckabee will be the national spokesperson for the NAMM Foundation's Wanna Play Fund.

Specifically, donations to the Wanna Play Fund will:

1. Support community-based programs that provide new and innovative ways for people to learn and play music. Donations support the NAMM Foundation's competitive program grants given to non-profit service organizations that offer high-quality, innovative music learning opportunities as well as to those programs that expand opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to learn and play music.

2. Provide musical instruments to schools that are expanding or reinstating music education programs. Instruments will be provided to schools that demonstrate commitment to expanding opportunities for all children to learn music as part of the core curriculum and to schools that employ quality music teachers. The NAMM Foundation will also provide instruments to individuals whose circumstances inhibit their ability to meet their full musical potential. Instrument donations will also be considered for non-professional music makers in community-based music programs and people pursuing professional music careers.

The Wanna Play Fund stems from a national public awareness campaign called Wanna Play? created by NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, to educate people of all ages about the many social and wellness benefits of making music. More than 85 celebrities currently support the campaign, including Gov. Huckabee, Isaac Slade, Sara Bareilles, Robert Downey Jr., and John Legend. Wanna Play? celebrities include actors, authors, musicians, sports figures, executives, politicians and personalities who play a musical instrument.

Bid on the Wanna Play Fund Oak Ridge Boys Autographed Guitar

To learn more about NAMM Foundation,  a very worthy organization click here.

To donate directly to NAMM Foundation click here.