Shine MSD, Inc.

After every mass shooting, news stations, politicians, and the general public talk about how to address gun violence. But these conversations quickly fade. ShineMSD, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is using the healing power of the arts to keep the conversation alive.
How? By creating a one-of-a-kind, instrument made out of bullet casings - a powerful way for musicians to help keep the gun violence conversation on the main stage.

The Instrument of Hope is a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted trumpet made out of bullet casings and spent brass by Josh Landress. The trumpet has been played by famous musicians in the interest of keeping the gun violence conversation on the main stage. It is our hope to continue to have the trumpet played at venues around the world, promote the trumpet, and create media awareness for this important initiative.

Some of the worlds greatest trumpet players have volunteered to record a very special trumpeted version of Shine. We seek your help to pay the costs associated with this important, once in a life time, endeavor. With your financial support, we can continue to keep the gun violence conversation on the main stage!

ShineMSD was formed in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14, 2018, by parents and drama students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It exists to help survivors, the community, and trauma victims heal through the arts. The Instrument of Hope is a symbol of their fight and a powerful way to keep the gun violence conversation on the main stage. ShineMSD’s mission is to harness the power of artistic expression to inspire hope and unity in the aftermath of tragedy.

ShineMSD currently funds creative arts therapy for trauma victims. The recording and related video will not only further ShineMSD’s message, but in addition, all funds raised from the recording and video will go directly to ShineMSD to support its healing through the arts programs. All donations are tax deductible.

Following the shooting tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School on February 14, 2018, members of the MSD Drama Club came together to provide comfort to each other and students affected by the tragedy. Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena, MSD Drama Club members, began writing a song entitled “Shine”.  Their approach did not start from anger, but rather from a place of healing.   

A Town Hall Meeting at the BB & T Center in Sunrise, Florida was quickly organized and broadcast live on CNN on February 21, 2018, which was broadcast live to 3 million people. The event was rife with emotion and concluded with the MSD Drama Club members performing the song “Shine”. The performance of the song was significant, encouraging the community to come together and heal from this horrific tragedy. 


The Town Hall broadcast launched "Shine" into the spotlight . It was immediately decided that any proceeds generated by the song or other works of art generated by our students should be directed towards healing. Thus, Shine MSD was born.

The purpose of Shine MSD  is to help victims of trauma heal through creative arts therapy.

Shine MSD exists to provide healing through the arts for trauma victims, with a specific emphasis on those affected by the tragedy at MSD High School. The intent is to create, and broadcast, the healing message from the students of MSD High School through various mediums throughout the world. 

All of Shine MSD board members have children in the MSD Drama Club. Shine MSD is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to helping those affected by trauma. All donations are tax deductible. 

The song "Shine" is available for download: SHINE Sawyer Garrity & Andrea Peña (ft. Stoneman Douglas Drama) 

The more funds we raise, the more that Shine MSD can do. We will increase our fundraising goal as we hit each milestone. Please help us by sharing this GoFundMe with your friends and family: https://www.gofundme.com/shine-msd