Music and mutts

By Jonathan E. Coleman
jcoleman@independenttribune.com

Guitarists are often known to be good with their hands, but one group of up-and-coming musicians have shown over the past several months that they have pretty good hearts as well.

Dubbed Harrisburg Helping Hounds, a group of students and staff from Landau Guitar Company were sitting around one day when the topic at hand drifted from learning music to serving a greater cause.

Several of the students and staff decided to begin a simple fundraiser by selling cold drinks and candy bars and using the profits to help provide support for homeless and abandoned animals.

An animal lover who has taken in her share of canine companions over the years, Marianna Landau has served as something of the purveyor of the mission, which has since grown to include selling hand-made crafts and T-shirts, as well as planning larger events to bring greater awareness to the cause.

“At one time we had 15 dogs in the house,” she recalled. “Now I just raise the money. It’s much easier.”

After the first month, the effort had raised nearly $200, and the group decided to donate the money to Kreitzer’s Critter Corral Puppy Rescue, a rescue facility in Concord.

“We have been rescuing puppies since January 2004.” said Lizanne Kreitzer, who, along with her husband Bill, owns the puppy corral.  “Most of the money has come straight from our personal pockets.We would love to be able to do more.This will tell individuals and companies that they can donate money, products and services to us and can have those items as tax write-offs.”

To date, Helping Hounds has donated nearly $500 to the Kreitzers, fast approaching their goal of $700, which would allow the puppy corral to apply for 501(c)(3) non profit status.

“Obtaining our 501(c)(3) status would give us basically a type of seal of approval,” Kreitzer said.

As Helping Hounds has gotten more involved in the idea of helping the rescue group, its creative side has been exposed and a bevy of new ideas has sprung up.

A branch of the Helping Hounds group has formed a musical group called the Beagles, which takes popular Beatles’ songs and changes the lyrics to make them more fitting. Among their songs, “I want to hold your paw” and “We all live on a yellow Labrador.”

“We’re definitely going to put a CD out one day,” Landau said. “They wrote the songs. It’s been great.”

The group will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talent and share their original songs at a Puppyfest being held at Landau Guitar Co. Saturday.

The event, which is scheduled from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., will include a garage sale, craft and bake sale, raffle and open mic music.

An ongoing fundraising effort also being held at Landau Guitar Co. is an art camp.

At the camp, participants make all sorts of craft items, ranging from tie dye T-shirts and beaded jewelry to bird houses and murals.

Once complete, campers can donate their crafts to be sold to benefit the Helping Hounds group. Upcoming art camps are scheduled for Aug. 6-10, Aug. 13-17 and Aug. 20-24. For more information, call 704-455-7315.

While the group is having plenty of fun raising the money, ultimately it’s for the dogs.

“For every dog that’s adopted at the pound, another one is put down,” Landau said. “It’s a pleasure to do something to at least give them a chance.”