Friday, December 7, 2012

Day 13

Guitars for Vets

On this day on December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked.  That had us thinking about our military and then our military veterans.  So today's donation (another suggestion from our friend Ellie) is for our military veterans (and as a bonus relates to music!).

Guitars for Vets is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of ailing and injured military veterans by providing them with guitars and music instruction.  Through self-expression and the healing power of music, it is our intent to restore the feelings of joy and purpose that can be lost after suffering trauma.

Guitars for Vets provides free private lessons and a new acoustic guitar to military veterans at VA medical and community-based Vet centers.  All veterans are referred to us by the VA medical team in order to integrate the Guitars for Vets program into their treatment regimen.  The private lessons are taught by volunteer instructors and are then followed by group sessions that provide a forum for the veterans to talk and play music with like-minded individuals, many of whom have had the same experiences, emotions and traumas.  The music sessions provide a communal atmosphere.  This has proven to be a catalyst that helps the Vets continue on their road to recovery and well being.

Upon graduation, each Vet in the program is presented a guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, method book and a certificate of completion.

No comments:

Post a Comment