Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - This month, Guitars for Vets (G4V) — a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free guitars and lessons to Veterans struggling with physical injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other emotional distress — celebrates ten years of helping those who have served heal through music. To celebrate this milestone, and bring awareness to National PTSD Awareness Day on June 27, the organization has partnered with online music gear marketplace Reverb.com.
“Nearly half of the 2.6 million veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars struggle with physical and mental health problems stemming from their service. In fact, it's estimated that 22 veterans a day commit suicide nationwide,” said Patrick Nettesheim, co-founder of Guitars for Vets. “Through the healing power of music, we’re helping our servicemen and women not only cope with their stress, but also build confidence to continue to express themselves through creative outlets and engage with their communities.”
Over the past ten years, Guitars for Vets has cultivated a guitar instruction program that pairs weekly, individualized guitar lessons with monthly group sessions that provide positive human interaction and a communal atmosphere in which vets can play music and talk with peers who have shared similar experiences. Upon graduation from the course, G4V provides vets with a new acoustic guitar and guitar accessories. Some graduates and group session attendees even go on to perform at local fundraisers and teach guitar lessons through their G4V chapter.
To help G4V continue its mission, Reverb.com will donate 100 percent of proceeds from Reverb guitar tuners sold between June 20 and PTSD Awareness Day on June 27. The music gear marketplace — which regularly donates accessories to G4V and helps the organization raise funds through the Guitars for Vets Reverb Shop — aims to raise $10,000 to put 50 additional vets through the program.
“We’re so grateful for our continued partnership with Reverb.com — a company whose mission to get instruments into the hands of more people so closely aligns with our own,” said Nettesheim. “Since 2007, we’ve provided our military veterans with more than 25,000 lessons and over 2,500 guitars - completely free of charge, thanks to the kindness of volunteers, individuals, and organizations that understand the potential a guitar has to change a life for the better.”
Guitars for Vets currently operates more than 65 chapters in 35 states with the assistance of volunteers, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and community-based medical centers worldwide. To support Guitars for Vets, purchase a Reverb tuner between June 20 - 27, shop the Guitars for Vets Reverb Shop, or make a donation. You can also donate instruments by contacting 1-855-G4V-HERO.
About Reverb
Reverb.com is the online marketplace to buy, sell and learn about new, used, and vintage music gear. Since launching in 2013, Reverb.com has grown into the world’s most popular music gear website, connecting millions of people around the world to the gear and the inspiration they need to make music. The marketplace is comprised of hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers – from beginner musicians, mom-and-pop shops, and boutique builders to collectors, large retailers, popular manufacturers, and rock stars. At any given time, the site has roughly half a million listings ranging from electric, acoustic and bass guitars to effects, studio gear, synthesizers, drums, DJ equipment, orchestra instruments, music-making software, and more.
About Guitars for Vets
In 2007, Milwaukee guitar instructor Patrick Nettesheim was introduced to Vietnam-era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk. For years, Dan wanted to learn to play guitar but felt the lasting effects of combat, in the form of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), would make it difficult for him to succeed. After only a few months of working with Patrick, Dan discovered that the strong spirit that helped him throughout his time in Vietnam was all he needed to play music. Together, the men realized that guitar lessons were both opportunities for self-expression and positive human interaction. Dan and Patrick shared what they learned with Veterans at The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and Guitars for Vets was born. Guitars for Vets is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.