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Project has some strings attached

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: June 3, 2009

LUTZ - Jacob Kirstein knows that when he gets overloaded with homework, Hebrew studies or other responsibilities, he can find a creative outlet by picking up his guitar.

He might try some Ozzy Osbourne or maybe a little Green Day. Or if he's in a mellow mood, he'll get out his acoustic and write his own songs.

Jacob, 13, wants to help people facing other stressful situations unwind in a similar way.

A seventh-grader at Martinez Middle, Jacob is working on a community service project for his bar mitzvah. The religious ceremony and celebration with family and friends mark when a boy turns 13 and becomes an adult under Jewish law.

Jacob's "Gift of Guitars" project will match needy or hospitalized children with music. He is canvassing Cheval and Heritage Harbor, where his mother and father live, after school to collect money or guitars if someone has one to spare.

So far he has raised about $350, enough to buy three guitars, and Sam Ash Music donated an instrument. He would like to raise money to buy two or three more before his bar mitzvah this month.

He plans to give the guitars to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center. He pictures tense children and parents distracting themselves with music.

"I'm hoping if someone has to stay overnight, they would play this rather than stressing about the surgery they're going to have," Jacob said.

He also is offering to visit recipients and give them a couple of lessons to get them started and has asked local guitar teachers to consider donating their time.

"Together we can provide kids with a healthy outlet for the expression of their emotions and creativity," Jacob wrote on his collection box. "A guitar in the hands of a child can be a tool for them to express their deepest hopes and dreams."

A friend taught Jacob guitar basics and he learns songs from folk to rock over the Internet. His mother, Bonnie, said she is proud of his work ethic, whether he is spending hours trying to master a song or staying up late studying his Hebrew. He recently won an award at Martinez for having such a good attitude.

"He's very driven," Bonnie Kirstein said. "He's got such good character."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (727) 451-2343.

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