Took my Breath Away by Heather Frances Smith - For Guitars-4-Vets Charity!
What Does Guitars 4 Vets Do?
Over the past twelve years, our organization has refined a guitar instruction program aimed at providing Veterans struggling with physical injuries, PTSD, and other emotional distress a unique therapeutic alternative. G4V pursues its mission to share the healing power of music by providing free guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar and a guitar accessory kit in a structured program run by volunteers, primarily through the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and community-based medical centers. HOW IT STARTED In 2007, Patrick Nettesheim, a Milwaukee guitar instructor 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
Heathers bio – Heather Smith, a daughter of a Veteran and a granddaughter of a Veteran and Country Western Singer, is a partner in a large lobbying firm. Throughout her career Heather has developed expertise in numerous policy areas, including appropriations, banking and finance, campaigns, education, gaming, health care, insurance, manufacturing, public and private partnerships, policy, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. Heather is currently president of Katrina’s Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources for foster children and children living in group homes, and the founder of Race for the Case, a 5k race to raise awareness for adoption and foster care through the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Heather is also the South Carolina Liaison for the Guitars 4 Vets. Guitars 4 Vets is a national 501 (c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing relief to struggling veterans through the healing power of music and community.
Heather is also a member of Leadership South Carolina and the Columbia World Affairs Council. Heather was recognized as the 2017 South Carolina Global Business Awards Partner of the Year and is a recipient of the MUNGO Community Builder Award. A native of South Carolina, Heather attended John Carroll University, where she studied public relations and political science. Before graduation, Heather moved back to South Carolina, where she graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a BA in journalism and mass communications. Heather resides in Columbia, South Carolina with her daughter.