Foundations benefit from celebrity guitars - Business First of Buffalo:

uraa-quartely.blogspot.com
"It's really been a communityg endeavor," says Gwen Mysiak, manager of corporate communicationsat "You just won't believe the creativithy of these artists. They did some amazing, creativew things with these guitars." Such was the case for Susan Tomei'e seventh- and eighth-grade students at Buffalo's Olmstec school, where students painted one ofthe guitars. "They had a greayt time doing it," Tomei says. "It was an extraordinarh opportunityfor them." Mysiak says the projectf was modeled after "Herd About and Cleveland's "Guitarmania.
" Each artist had to creates a theme for the fiberglass guitars, whichu are 6 feet tall, 28 inches wide and 9 inches The guitars were molded by and built by Merlinworks of Ont. After artists completes their designs, the guitars were displayeds at more than 40 local Online bidding began June 23 in mandator incrementsof $25 for locallyu designed guitars and $50 for the celebrityh versions. Items also could be purchased beforw theonline bidding. Celebrity or premiumm guitars were soldfor $5,0000 and regional guitars for $2,500. Mysiak says a semiformal gala is scheduledd to auction off any remaining It will be held at6 p.m.
, July 14 in the WNED Tickets cost $75 per person or $125 per couple. Participatinyg celebrities includeBon Jovi, Meatloaf, Queen V and Lee Ann the casts of "The King of Queens" and "Lad Vegas" TV shows; Hall of Fame quarterbacok Jim Kelly; "Entertainment Tonight's" Mark Steines; Buffali Philharmonic music director JoAnj Falleta; Nascar auto designer Sam and Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert. Guitards for Hope is sponsoredby , Rite Aid New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldonj Silver and Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz. Other sponsord are C.F. Martin & Co.
, Kantoer & Godwin, Banco, Lafayette High School, , , , Salvatore'sd Italian Gardens Restaurant, Merlinworks, The , the and Proceeds benefit the Kelly forKids Foundation, the , and Hours for the free exhibif are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Also, 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To reservse tickets for the gala, call To place a bid for remaining visitor .