Former student helps after guitars are stolen from Kingston, Ont. school

Donations poured in for Rideau Height Public School in Kingston, Ont., after ten guitars were stolen from the music program.

A fixture of the Limestone City music scene, musician Jay Smith says he was angry and upset when he heard about the theft of ten guitars from Rideau Heights Public School in Kingston’s North End.

“To me, it hit home because I went to Rideau Heights Public,” said Smith.

“I graduated from there. I’m a musician from there, I helped start the music program there. So it was a no-brainer to get involved,” he said.

After hearing about the break-in that happened on Feb. 24, Smith took to social media asking the community to spread the word and help out if they were able.

“I’m not shocked one bit that our community stepped up,” said Smith. “I knew I could count on friends to step up and do the right thing.”

Robb MacKay, the music teacher at Rideau Heights Public School, said after having to put things on hold due to COVID-19, the music program had just started running again when the theft occurred.

“To lose these things was really heartbreaking,” said MacKay

Ten guitars – acoustic, electric and bass – were stolen.