Keith Richards aids Helping Hands: Guitar donation draws national attention

Rector is getting international attention since Rolling Stones lead guitarist Keith Richards donated a unique Zemaitis pearl front electric guitar soon to be auctioned online to benefit the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation.

The story appeared several weeks ago in the Clay County Democrat and on the Helping Hands Foundation website, administered by foundation board member Jim Taylor of Nashville, and was picked up by the Associated Press after an article appeared recently in the Jonesboro Sun.

Foundation co-founder Bill Carter of Lebanon, Tenn., an attorney who represented the Rolling Stones during the 1970's and 1980's, used his connection with Richards to secure the guitar, telling him it would "benefit a good cause."

Carter said in a recent interview there have been offers up to $50,000 for the instrument, but added he feels the guitar will bring "substantially more" through the auction. He added he will pull the guitar from eBay if it doesn't bring the amount he expects.

Crafted by a London guitar maker, Carter said the instrument is one of the most beautiful he's ever seen.

According to the Sun story, Carter had told Richards of the type of work the foundation provides for Rector students in need, and the stories he shared captured Richards' attention.

"When I grew up in Rector, so many people helped me when I was 10 or 12 years old," Carter told the Sun. "Everybody took care of each other. My friends' parents gave me money when my parents didn't have it."

The Helping Hands Foundation was established in 2006 and has given thousands of dollars in financial assistance to a large number of disadvantaged Rector students, providing medical and dental care, athletic equipment, meals for athletic trips, band instruments, money for field trips, college scholarships and more.

"This has special meaning," Carter told the Sun. "Richards did it for the foundation. He had a photo made of him signing it. There's a letter from the Rolling Stones office indicating Keith donated it to the foundation. The connection is important. Keith is doing this for us.

"Keith is a very kind and generous person, despite what kind of image he might have," Carter added in speaking with the Sun. "I'm grateful he would take the time and effort to send something for Rector, Arkansas. He didn't owe me anything. Some kids need help desperately. This is a very generous gesture on Keith's part."

The foundation asks there be serious inquiries only concerning the guitar. Those who wish to see additional photos or to see the guitar in person may email info@rhshelpinghands.org to arrange a meeting.

The foundation also recently auctioned items donated by country music stars Brooks and Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Trace Adkins.

"We encourage you to visit our website often," Taylor said. "Learn more about the foundation and our auction items. You can be assured that ALL proceeds from these auctions will go directly to support disadvantaged children attending public schools in Rector, Arkansas."