The 503c charity, based in Brattleboro, VT, is currently running a CrowdRise campaign to purchase 600 guitars to donate to 300 Vets Centers.
With a goal in mind of healing vets through music, Stars, Stripes, and Strings, Inc. wants to donate two acoustic guitars to every Vets Center in America. Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, Richard Meijer founded SS&S in 2016 after playing his acoustic guitar at the Vets Center in White River Junction, VT.
Stars, Stripes, and Strings, a registered 503c, is on a mission to put brand new musical instruments into every Vet Center in the United States; bringing veterans, families, and communities together through music. As Mr. Meijer puts it, “I found a way to say thank you without words. I asked the question ‘What if veterans could heal themselves through music, and what if it was as simple as two acoustic guitars into Vet Centers?’” Since its inception, SS&S has donated eight acoustic guitars to four Vet Centers in Vermont and New Hampshire, thanks to two successful GoFundMe campaigns, many generous donors, and a $1,000 “GoBeyondGiving” award from GoFundMe. Mr. Meijer notes that there is also thanks given to Brothers Band Together, his music collective formed to perform and fundraise for SS&S. Lessons and music therapy were now taking place at all four Vet Centers with local musicians and therapists from the community donating their time.
Stars, Stripes and Strings’ mission statement is “We believe Veterans deserve dignity, respect, and connection. Stars, Stripes and Strings is on a mission to donate brand new acoustic guitars to every Vet Center into the United States, creating communities so Veterans can heal themselves and others through music.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
SS&S’s current campaign is a Crowdrise Holiday Challenge that started on #GivingTuesday, to purchase 600 guitars for the remaining 300 Vet Centers nationwide. It will end on January 2nd, 2019. You can contribute at this link: https://fundraising.crowdrise.com/holiday-challenge
In summer 2019, SS&S will sponsor the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association 2019 Regional Rally in Newport, VT as it has done in years past.
To stay tuned to all of SS&S fundraising efforts and sponsorships, please find them on Facebook at their official Facebook page and Instagram with the username “starsstripesandstrings.” You can also contact Mr. Meijer for interviews and more information by emailing him at [email protected].
