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The Healing Power of Music: The Acoustic Shoppe Donates 44 Guitars to Veterans
At The Acoustic Shoppe, we believe music can change a life. This year, we were honored to partner with a non-profit that has proven this mission time and again: Guitars for Vets. We were moved deeply by the story of how music helps veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), helping to combat a national tragedy where, on average, we lose an estimated 17-22 veterans per day to suicide.
Our journey began when we learned from Guitars for Vets that they were facing a critical shortage of 100 guitars for the year, which would force them to turn away deserving veterans from their program. We felt compelled to act. We knew we had a platform and a community that could help make a difference, and so our campaign was born.
Guitars For Vets
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Guitar For Vets mission is to offer Veterans a path toward healing, self-expression, and meaningful connection. Through our unique program, each Veteran receives 10 personalized guitar lessons, a brand-new acoustic guitar, essential accessories, and a method book completely free of… Learn more...
How We Made a Difference: Our Multi-Pronged Strategy
To ensure our campaign was a success, we designed a multi-pronged strategy that leveraged our resources, our community, and our platform. We wanted to make a significant impact during the month of June, which is PTSD Awareness Month.
A Personal Commitment: We immediately committed to purchasing and donating 10 guitars to the program to kick off the drive. We wanted to show our dedication to the cause right from the start.
A High-Value Auction: We leveraged our relationships within the industry, collaborating with Breedlove Guitars to secure three high-value, USA-made instruments for an online auction. 100% of the proceeds from these auctions went directly to purchasing additional guitars for donation.
Strategic Partnerships: Our partnerships didn't stop there. We also collaborated with D'Addario, who provided each auction winner with a guitar care package that included maintenance tools and a year's supply of strings. This enhanced the value of the auction and provided essential resources for the musicians.
Community Engagement: We knew that the real power of this campaign was in our community. We set up a dedicated donation page on our website and an in-store "round-up" option so customers could easily contribute to the cause. This made it simple for every person who walked through our doors or visited our site to be a part of the mission.
Powerful Storytelling: We knew that the most impactful part of the story was the human element. We produced a podcast with Nigel Fischer, Guitars for Vets' Director of Advancement and a Marine veteran who had been through the program himself. The podcast transcript, which we published as a blog post, served as the centerpiece of our campaign, allowing people to hear directly from someone who had been helped.
The Impact and Results: More Than Just the Numbers
The response from our community was overwhelming. By the end of our drive, we had raised enough funds to purchase and donate a total of 44 guitars, exceeding our goal by 14. This meant we directly helped Guitars for Vets meet a critical need, ensuring they did not have to turn away any veterans from the program that year.
More than just the numbers, our campaign demonstrated the power of music to unite a community for a common cause. Shortly after our fundraiser concluded, we received a note from Eric M. Weinstein, the Executive Director of Guitars for Vets, that confirmed the impact of our efforts:
"I just wanted to extend my sincere gratitude to you and your brothers for putting together such a successful fundraiser! We have inventoried all of the guitars now and are blown away by the generosity of TAS and Breedlove. All of us at G4V are grateful for this partnership and are looking forward to finding ways our organizations can continue working together."
Shortly after our podcast with Nigel was released, we received this powerful comment on our YouTube channel, which perfectly captures the program's effect:
"As a 100% Disabled Navy Veteran I learned about Guitars for Vets... I completed the 10 lessons with Michael, and received an Epiphone Pro 1 Dreadnought Acoustic guitar... I'm still just kinda noodling around on my Epiphone, and have actually gotten so relaxed I've drifted off to sleep still holding my guitar. It's an Awesome program, that absolutely, is a positive benefit, to those that are able to go through their program. I can guarantee there's not a group that is more appreciative of the effort to bring this program to Veterans! Thank You Acoustic Shop for getting behind this very Beneficial Program, that can absolutely enhance, and SAVE LIVES!"
Nigel's Story: A Journey of Healing
Nigel’s personal story perfectly illustrates the difference music makes. As a veteran dealing with severe PTSD and TBI, he struggled with anxiety and isolation. The simple act of picking up a guitar and joining the Guitars for Vets program became his path to healing.
Nigel shared how many veterans feel that they "knew what [they] signed up for," which can make them feel like they shouldn't complain or show weakness. He explained that trauma is a universal human experience, but for military personnel, the difference is "the likelihood of repetitive trauma in a very short time window." This can lead to a breaking point where the trauma "just gets to a point where... you recognize you're not dealing with it in a healthy way."
His own experience with a traumatic brain injury and physical pain led him to search for an outlet. He initially found solace in nature and dirt biking, but that became a challenge after another injury. "I'm not going to lie... there were tears," he said about the moment he graduated from the Guitars for Vets program. After receiving numerous promotions and awards during his career, he said that getting his guitar was one of the things he was "most proud of" because it was something he did for himself.
He credits the program not only with teaching him to play but also with giving him a creative outlet for emotions he couldn't express in words. Through the lessons, he found a supportive community of fellow veterans who understood his experience. The guitar became a "meditative state," a positive way to cope with the pain and reconnect with himself.
As Nigel shared, "music speaks where words fail." By helping Guitars for Vets put instruments into the hands of more veterans, we are proud to be a part of a mission that gives them not just a new hobby, but a new life.
The Importance of Community and Connection
The Guitars for Vets program doesn't just give a veteran an instrument; it gives them a community. As Nigel explained, veterans who have been through the program are a new "unit" or "family." We all understand the feeling of being part of a close-knit group. Losing that, as many veterans do when they leave the service, can be "horribly rot with grief." This is where music comes in, offering a new path.
The program creates a new support network through its jam sessions and peer-to-peer support. As we discussed on the podcast, "it's like playing baseball by yourself. When you actually get to play it with a team, it's a different game." That shared experience of learning and playing together is just as vital as the music itself. For many, it's a new "team" that helps them feel connected again.
We can't thank you enough for being a part of this campaign. It's a powerful reminder that our love for music and our commitment to our community can create real, lasting change.
Acoustic Shoppe FAQ
What is the Guitars for Vets program?
Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a national non-profit that provides free guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar, and a guitar accessory kit to veterans to help them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other service-related challenges.
How many guitars did The Acoustic Shoppe donate?
Our campaign, with the help of our amazing community, raised enough funds to donate a total of 44 guitars to the Guitars for Vets organization.
How can I get involved or donate to Guitars for Vets?
There are many ways to help!
Monetary Donation: You can make a monetary donation directly on the Guitars for Vets website or on our website.
Instrument Donation: You can donate a new or used guitar by following the instructions on the G4V website.
Volunteer: If you're a musician, you can apply to be a volunteer instructor with a local G4V chapter. They also need administrative help.
Spread the word: The more people who know about the program, the more lives they can touch. Sharing this story on social media or by word-of-mouth is a huge help.
What is the benefit of music for mental health?
Music has been scientifically shown to aid in brain development and recovery. It can serve as a non-clinical outlet for stress and emotion. As Nigel shared, music can provide a "meditative state" and help with communication when words are difficult. It can also help regrow brain cells.
What if I'm a veteran and don't feel I can learn to play?
Nigel, who had a TBI, and other veterans in the program have found success regardless of physical challenges. The program is designed to be patient and encouraging, with no strict "tests" or expectations of perfection. As we discussed on our podcast, "there's nothing that can hold you back." You don't have to be a rock star to enjoy music.
