A heartless theft has struck at the very heart of Kitchener's music community, leaving a beloved children's program scrambling to recover. The Fret Program for Kids, which provides free guitar lessons to hundreds of local children, has been devastated after thieves cleaned out their storage unit containing nearly all their instruments.
The Devastating Discovery
Program founder Rick Goyette made the crushing discovery earlier this week when he visited the storage facility on Wilson Avenue. What he found was an empty unit where approximately 30 guitars, amplifiers, and essential teaching equipment once stood.
"It's a threat to the program," Goyette told CTV News, his voice heavy with disappointment. "This is everything we've built for these kids."
More Than Just Instruments
The stolen items represent far more than their monetary value. These guitars were the gateway to music education for children who might otherwise never have the opportunity to learn an instrument. The Fret Program has been operating since 2018, providing completely free lessons and instruments to kids across Waterloo Region.
"We service a lot of families that can't afford to buy a guitar or pay for lessons," Goyette explained. "For many of these children, this program is their only access to musical education."
Community Response and Recovery Efforts
In true Kitchener fashion, the community has already begun rallying behind the program. Local musician and longtime supporter Andrew de Villiers immediately stepped up, offering both financial support and replacement instruments.
"This program is too important to let disappear," de Villiers stated. "We need to come together as a community to ensure these kids don't lose their chance to make music."
How You Can Help
The program is urgently seeking:
- Acoustic and electric guitars in playable condition
- Guitar amplifiers
- Financial donations to replace stolen equipment
- Storage space donations to prevent future incidents
Waterloo Regional Police are actively investigating the theft and encourage anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, the Fret Program remains determined to continue their mission, proving that even in the face of adversity, the music must go on.
