GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Local musician Paul Wane will give away free instruments to children at the second annual Rockin’ for the Stockins on Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Boogerville Hideout at 6043 U.S. Highway 17.

The first 100 children will receive a free Rockin’ for Stockins Giveaway Bag filled with goodies.

"We put a little toy instrument in there. Not every child gets full-sized instruments, but every child gets a toy instrument – even if it’s a harmonica, a ukulele, a maraca, recorder," said co-founder, Lisa Wane.

The event will also feature a bounce house, pony rides, face painting and a Santa's workshop where kids can make memorable keepsakes.

The Rockin' for Stockins Guitars for Kids Giveaway and Rising Stars Recognition Performance will benefit the Agency For Life Transformations, a nonprofit that empowers people with intellectual developmental disabilities to create their ideal life. Through generous donations, Paul Wane Music has gifted more than 200 new and refurbished instrument kits to youth and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities or other unique challenges.

The gift of a musical instrument can be life-changing,” Paul Wane said.

“The significant part of music for these kids, especially those with special needs, is it gives them something to be in control of that never tells them what to do, and I think that has a huge impact on their independence,” Wane said. "It’s important that kids have a chance to have a voice in the way that they’re going to live, and music can be that voice.”

Wane has been giving away guitars for as long as he can remember.

“When I was 8 years old, my uncle Chet gave me a guitar he found in a park. The wood was all warped, and the strings were chopped off at the neck, but when he gave it to me, he said, ‘You’re the one. You can do this.’

“So ever since I was a little kid, if I could get my hands on a guitar, I would give it to someone else and say hey, let’s jam together. I’ve been doing this my whole life, which really inspired Guitars for Kids.”

Guitars for Kids is supported by Boogerville Hidout’s John Abdul, Caveman Bill (Jinxx Band), Howlin Wolf’s James Cuneo and Gerry Goyette (Southern Junction Band), as well as Duval County Line (DCL). Instruments have been donated by fellow musicians, purchased by community members, or given in remembrance of loved ones to carry forth their legacy. Several of the guitars are custom-made by Murphy Custom Guitars (jayguitarmurphy@gmail.com).

“He goes through all of our guitars and ensures they are the very best an individual can receive. He has never charged us a dime. He volunteers that time for the kids,” Wane said. “Many of the guitars we receive are not playable, so we take them apart and put new parts on them."

Guitars too damaged to play are donated to an artist who paints them and gives them to different organizations to raffle off. Last year, Operation Barnabas raffled off one of these guitars for $1,600.

“Just because that old guitar hasn’t played in a long time doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a life left. It just needs the right person to get a hold of it,” Wane said.

Twice a year, Paul Wane Music invites their Rising Stars to perform live, center stage as a solo act, a band or with fellow musicians.

"Once you’re a rising star, you’re a rising star for life, so you become a community. These kids build bands together. They write music together. So we'll feature what the kids have written and what they’ve learned,” he said. “It’s all about community. And we’ve created a wonderful network.”

There are many ways to spread the joy of music this holiday season. To become a sponsor, donor or vendor to help cover the costs of the giveaways for items like complete instrument packages, youth T-shirts, toy instruments and a child's meal during an event.

The proceeds will also help Paul Wane Music become an official 501 © (3) so they can give back to their community while continuing to grow as a foundation. For questions, call (904) 600-9802 or email paulwanemusic@gmail.com.