HeartString Foundation

About us

We Began With a Very Simple Mission:

Provide guitars to Veterans and actively serving military members and their families so that they may integrate music into their recovery. However, we have grown to provide a lot more than just guitars.

Heartstrings Foundation was created in 2017 by two brothers, Rowan and Aaron Pickering. They grew up in a family with a long tradition of military service, community involvement, and late-night family jam sessions. Rowan has worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years and Aaron spent 17 years as both USAF Enlisted Aviator and a civilian contractor. These combined experiences and their shared passion for music inspired them to launch Heartstrings and begin changing lives.

There are

Six Strings on a Guitar

Five strings represent each branch of the military (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy). The Sixth String is the “Heartstring”, representing the loved ones of those service members and the millions of Americans whom have been effected by issues related to not just PTSD and suicide, but issues such as addiction and mental health issues.

USAF

US Army

USCG

US Navy

USMG

Heart String

Through the Power of Music

We Are Bringing Health, Healing and Families Back Together

Due to the overall growth of Heartstrings Foundation, because of your selfless donations, we are now able to help even more people. We have donated thousands of guitars to music therapy programs, children’s hospitals, first responders, transitional housing for battered women, drug treatment programs, and other non-profit organizations across the country.

We Can't do this Without You

With your contribution we will be able to reach even more people, assist more therapy programs, help more children and change more lives.

Aside from Guitars

Heartstrings now produces music, events, and engages in opportunities to educate the public and bring awareness to those in need of help.

Introductions

Rowan Pickering

Owner/CEO

Rowan started in the entertainment industry when he was 15 years old opening for National Acts like Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith and many more. He launched Pickering Entertainment in 1997 as a corporate entertainment company and has owned the Event Team since 2004. Most recently Rowan has been delighting crowds at larger venues such as NASCAR, Barrett Jackson, World Series and various local and national events. Known by many as the “Charismatic Cowboy”, Rowan has impacted many companies with memorable team building experiences through the years with a focus on Charity. From guitar builds for veterans, bike builds for children and even dog house builds for dogs he has immersed himself into helping those in need. He also is hugely involved with several events for charity and non-profit groups that focus on helping children, women’s groups, veterans, and animal organizations. He has been recognized by several communities and been awarded multiple times for his charitable contributions, work and dedication.

HeartStrings Foundation was created because of his dedication to helping others, giving back to the community and his huge love and appreciation for music. Merging all of these he created another way to “Help Heal Hearts that need Healing”. His philosophy in life “If we have the ability to help someone then it is our duty to do so”!!!

Aaron Pickering

Co-Founder

Music has been a part of the Pickering family for generations. Aaron and his dad would spend hours in front of the record player, picking apart each album. When he wasn’t playing or listening to music, he was dressing up in his Dad’s camo uniforms, pretending to be an Airman, just like his dad. Aaron began his military career back in 2001 as an Airborne Radar Technician on the E-3 AWACS. He spent the early years of his career in support of counter narcoterrorism operations in South America, and the Global War on Terror in Middle East. In 2008, Aaron began flying on the MC-12 Liberty as one of the initial cadre members selected to develop and employ the new intelligence aircraft.

After leaving the Air Force in 2011, he continued serving as a military contractor, where he flew in support of Special Operations Forces around the world. During his travels, he always used music to remind him of home, family and friends. No matter how chaotic the world was around him, music was always there to calm everything down. When the opportunity came around to dedicate his life to the Heartstrings Foundation, he jumped on it. This really is a dream for him, where he’s able to stay in the fight and combine his passion for music with his deep gratitude for our veterans.