If you’ve done business with Huber Banjos in the last few years, chances are you had a conversation with Sam Calveard. Sam handled customer service at Huber from 2005 to 2007, and made a lot of friends during his time on staff. He has been a long-time friend to the banjo world in general, having worked for years at both Gruhn Guitars and Gibson.

Steve Huber is asking all his customers and friends to join him in reaching a hand out to Sam during a time of need. Sam’s wife, Beth, passed away on March 22 after a lengthy bout with cancer, leaving him with the sole responsibility of raising their two young sons, Will and Latham.

Huber has established a scholarship trust fund account for the boys’ eventual college education, so that Sam can attempt to recover from their crushing medical expenses without also worrying about college costs for his sons. Steve has made an initial donation of $2500 to set up the fund, and asks everyone who has done business with Huber - or who cares about banjos and the people who make them - to send along whatever donation they can to help Sam’s boys.

I think we all know that the folks who toil for years to bring us quality music and fine instruments rarely earn the sort of income that makes retirement and college planning easy. Steve Huber asks that you examine your finances and see if they allow you to make a contribution to this worthy fund.

Online (PayPal) donations are enabled on the Huber Banjos web site.