Effort to collect guitars for veterans battling PTSD | ChicagoLIVE

All right, my man. Actually very excited about this next segment. So there's a local benefit. You could say it's striking a chord for veterans. Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich hosting its second annual Guitars for Vets benefit today. A goal of collecting 60 guitars, doubling last year's donations. The instruments. We're going to help veterans affected by PTSD and service-related trauma participate in a free 10-week guitar program focused on music, confidence, and connection. The public is invited to join and learn more about it. Very excited to bring in our guest, Rich Nelson, the brand ambassador for Guitar for Vets, and Amanda, is it Karkmer? Is Amanda, is that right? Listen, I'm going to give you a shout-out. Your shot is amazing. Thank you. We think so too. It's never too early. Tell us a little bit about what's happening out there, because it sounds fantastic. So this morning, or this afternoon, we've got a Guitars for Bets event. That means we've got live music here. We've got two different bands playing and a couple of solos as well. We've got White Saddle Band. We've got Sideshow Men. I'm going to have a pizza truck out front, Primo Pizza. And we're going to collect, hopefully, the full 60 guitars that we intended on when we started. So we've got a full afternoon, cocktails made in-house, mocktails as well. And we're looking forward to seeing 60 guitars and playing on the stage by the end of the night. That is so cool. I love the hat, by the way. Tell me what the signature cocktails are that you guys will be making today. I'm sorry, one more time? What kind of cocktails are you making today? What's the specialty? Mr. Quentin, I'm sorry, we're having a hard time hearing you. Oh, we were asking about the cocktails that you guys are making today. Are there any special cocktails you guys are going to be whipping up for folks? Absolutely. So for the cocktail menu, we have our new menu lunch. So we do have old-fashioned flights. We've got some pretty darn good bourbon. I think today is a great day for what we call the dolly. It's a dolly parton, you know, kind of drink. But we also have mocktails as well. So it's not a great day. I love this. I want to swing back around to the guitar angle of this thing. Can you kind of explain the impact that a guitar can have on veterans that, like you said, maybe they're affected by PTSD or service-related trauma? I don't think I realized how impactful a guitar could be. You know, ultimately, it makes no difference if it's a guitar or a tuba. It's the healing powers of music that work well in a variety of situations. And in this case, yes, it's veterans, PTSD, and as you mentioned, the traumas. It will help them focus on getting better. And Give them a goal. Give them something to do. God The cool part about this is they get 10 weeks of free lessons. They're given an instrument to practice on. will And at the end of the 10 weeks, should they choose to continue, they get to keep the guitar. The guitars are brought in. They're cleaned up. be with They're adjusted. New strings. Rick's Cool Guitars in Wooddale, Illinois takes care of that for us. you. It's really a great program. Can you tell us, I mean, I'd love to know in the past what that 10-week program is like. I'm sure you guys have seen this. There's a reason that this has been successful. Can you just kind of walk me through a little bit of what some of the veterans experienced over the course of those 10 weeks? Oh, my. It's from, if they're beginners, well, of course, we start at the beginning. Basically, here's a guitar, here's what it does, basic lessons, and work their way as fast as they can to progress through the program. All right. It's worked out at the Heinz Hospital. There's also a Southern Donors Grealish office as well, Wheaton. There are a number of chapters all over the country. There are over 1,000 volunteers. It's a total volunteer program. It's a nonprofit organization and can always use your help. People today can bring guitars, straps, cases, accessories of any kind for guitars. And if they don't have any of that, a checkbook is always good. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with just a little bit of cold cash. Amanda, I'd imagine, you know, Copper Fiddle Distillery, it's an amazing place out there. It's beautiful. I'd imagine there are a lot of folks that would love to partner with you guys and do some kind of collaboration in this form or fashion. What was it about this particular benefit, the Guitars for Bets, no pun intended, that struck a chord with you? Well done. Well played. For me personally, Rich and Fazio had brought it to my attention. My grandfather was a Purple Heart Bronze Star World War II vet, and he raised me, and he bought me my first microphone. And I think he's 99% of the reason that I'm into music. So as soon as this was brought up by Rich and Rick, it was a no-brainer. And we're surrounded for a live music venue by musicians who always have a guitar in the closet, one hanging out. So instead of it hanging out in the closet, why not put it to good work for the people who fought for us to be where we are, doing what we are. And I love that. And I'd love to kind of follow up on that because, you know, someone might be hearing this and going like. Who has a spare guitar lying around? But I think to your point, yeah, I think there are a lot of people that say, listen, you know, during COVID, I was pretty sure I was going to be a great guitar player, and I bought a guitar, and now it's sitting in the back of the closet gathering dust. There are a lot of people that probably have one, and they know. That next week is going to be the week that they pick it up. Let's be honest. You know, guys, if it's sitting in the back of your closet, next week ain't going to be it. Give it to a good cause. So there are folks out there that just have them in the back of their closet somewhere. Absolutely. Oh, no doubt. And there's always. This place is just full of music, four nights a week. We run open mics every Thursday. There's just all sorts of great stuff going on. And yes, in the closet, under the bed, we had a woman come in last year who brought her father's guitar. He was from the Korean War, and he had played it, and he had it, and she'd had it forever after he passed. And she came in with it, figuring it should go full circle back to another service person. And it did go on to help somebody out. It was really a great story. I love it. So one more time, let us know about the event that's happening today. And maybe more importantly, for someone who can't make it out today and they got something going on this weekend, there's still, I'd imagine, lots of opportunities for someone that wants to get involved and someone that wants to help. Absolutely. So today's event, we're doing 2 to 6 p.m. We're accepting guitars for the next two weeks following, too. So if you can't make it out today. For two weeks, we're still accepting the donations for Guitars for Bets until the end of the month. I can't, you know... Can't donate a guitar? Like Rich said, bring your checkbook. If you're looking to volunteer, I think it's guitarsforvets.org. You can check out their volunteer opportunities there, whether that's becoming a lesson instructor, whether that's just spending time involved with the program or learning more. So there's plenty of opportunities. Today's event is two to six. We've got White Saddle Band playing, Side Showman playing, Primo Pizza out front, cocktails from us. Love this. All right, Rich, Amanda, love what you guys are doing. Congratulations on what you guys are doing. I'm sure it's going to be an amazing event. Keep us updated on how it all goes. And I'm sure if you guys do it again next year, we'll have you back to talk more about it. Oh, we will be doing it next year. Thank you. Thank you for having us. Thank you for the exposure for this event. And you guys are doing great as well. Thanks. Thank you very much. Good to see you guys. Take care.