Music makes a difference: Kids Rock the Nation donates guitars to Old Kings Elementary

Anthony Wild and his nonprofit team are working to impact Flagler Schools' music departments.

By Paige Wilson
| 9:54 a.m. January 23, 2018

OKES fifth-grader Jaydon Kellum smiles as she tries out the new guitar. Her father played guitar for 14 years, and she said she's excited to learn now. Photo by Paige Wilson

OKES fifth-graders Romeo Serra and Rhiana Butkiewicz unwrap one of the 17 new guitars for OKES students. Photo by Paige Wilson

Kids Rock the Nation Founder and President Anthony Wild entertains the fifth-graders with a rock tune as students Jayden Kellum and Ashlee Barrett watch from the front of the room. Photo by Paige Wilson

OKES fifth-graders Bradley Henderson, AJ Marrero and Cooper Schenck watch Kids Rock the Nation Founder and President Anthony Wild play the guitar. Photo by Paige Wilson

OKES fifth-grader Ashlee Barrett strums one of the new guitars. Photo by Paige Wilson

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With wide eyes of excitement, Old Kings Elementary School fifth-grader Jaydon Kellum unwrapped a brand-new guitar and placed it in her lap. As she started strumming the strings, a smile stretched across her face.

She said her father played the guitar for 14 years and that she can’t wait to follow in his footsteps.

During a music class on Jan. 19, the nonprofit Kids Rock the Nation visited OKES to give students 17 guitars for them to practice and learn a new instrument.

Kids Rock the Nation Founder and President Anthony Wild picked up a guitar and started playing rock n’ roll to entertain the room full of fifth-graders.

He said the nonprofit’s mission is to build self-esteem and brain power through music.

“It’s a difficult instrument to play, so if they can master that, they can do anything,” Wild said. “We want to set kids up to know that they can be the next president of the United States if they want.”

After raising money to purchase 200 guitars for Flagler Schools, Wild and his nonprofit have donated 17 guitars to OKES and 28 to Flagler Palm Coast High School. Wild said he’s planning to make a donation to different schools in Flagler County each week.

“This is my home, so I just feel like we need to take care of people at home first,” he said. “We do other cities all over the United States, but I just want to make sure that our area is really tightened up with guitars.”

OKES Music Teacher Rodney Harshbarger said Wild is a music educator’s “dream come true.”

“I am beyond grateful for Anthony’s generosity and willingness to bring this opportunity to my students,” Harshbarger said. “For years to come, his gift will inspire and encourage many budding musicians at Old Kings Elementary.”

While music has always been Wild’s passion, going through cancer treatment years ago changed his outlook on life. He said his doctor helped him fight the disease and, in return, inspired him to give back to kids.

“I think God saved me so I can do this,” Wild said.