Instruments stolen from Fayetteville arts program replaced by businessman
A Fayetteville businessman donated a truckload of supplies to an arts programs after thousands of dollars worth of instruments and supplies were stolen.
Posted — UpdatedVelton Brown said he can't believe keyboards, guitars, saxophones and other instruments have been donated to help get his Art Exp'osion program up and running again.
"I received a phone call from a young lady and she was sharing that the owner of their organization would like to donate some items to our program, and [Monday] that happened," said Brown.
The man was Bob Moulton, the president of National Pawn, which has 23 stores across the state include one in Hope Mills. Moulton said he saw WRAL News' story about the theft and he wanted to do something.
"Well I said, 'This is a guy that's really doing some good things for the community and we need to reach out and help him,'" said Moulton.
Brown's Art Exp'osion program connects less fortunate children to music, art and poetry.
Moulton said he played in his high school band in Durham and remembers how tough it was on his mother to provide instruments and lessons.
"I actually played in the seventh grade. I wanted to be the band and my parents couldn't afford $25 to rent an instrument for me, so my mother bought a $15 trumpet at a yard sale and that's how I got my start," said Moulton.
Brown said over the years, about 8,000 children have taken part in his program.
"Since I started the program in 2003, I have 19 kids that are music teachers or band directors somewhere," he said. "You see, we don't know where those next music teachers or band directors are going to come from but I know there will be some more out of here."
Brown said he hopes the program will be up and running again in February.
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