Guitar for Vets Canada set to host concert to raise funds

Guitars for Vets Canada is set to host Play Your Part 2017 on November 10th, its first annual concert of this scale to raise funds for servicemen and women with mental injuries.

Musician, singer and former member of the band Great Big Sea, Séan McCann, will be hosting this evening concert and songwriter’s circle.

“I believe that music is strong medicine and that a song can save your life. That’s why I support Guitars for Vets,” said McCann, Guitars for VETS National Ambassador.

Other artists and friends performing on the evening of Nov. 10 include Sarah Harmer, Joel Plaskett, and Jeremy Fisher.

The concert will be held during Veterans Week and special VIP guests, including the prime minister and governor general, have been invited to attend.

The goal of Play Your Part 2017 is to raise enough funds to purchase guitars and free lessons for Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members who are dealing with Operational Stress Injuries like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The organization hopes to raise enough money to purchase 700 guitars and be able to fund free lessons.

“We’re just trying to play our part to do what we can to help veterans across the country, and soldiers, who are suffering in silence to get out and pick up a guitar,” said Jim Lowther, Founder of Guitars for Vets Canada.

The admission price of $100 can go a long way for Guitars for Vets.

“Every person we have in a seat is potentially a guitar,” said Lowther.

Lowther started Guitars for Vets in 2011. Lowther, who had himself found healing through music, wanted to do more for in-crisis and homeless veterans, especially those with PTSD, in spite of the work he already did through his organization VETS Canada.

“I wanted to physically do something and playing music helped me so much I figured if we could get a guitar in the hands of a soldier, veteran, that they could at least try to help themselves. That’s what I liked about it,” noted Lowther.

Guitars for Vets has seen much success in recent years and has donated close to 700 guitars to veterans and soldiers nationwide and has also set up four regular group sessions to learn the guitar, free-of-charge, across the country.

To donate or learn more about Guitars for Vets visit the VETS Canada website  .

To purchase tickets here Play Your Part 2017

You can also sponsor a seat for a veteran by contacting [email protected].