Like most businesses, we are sometimes approached to help out with a contribution for this or that organization. Our preference is to help those groups that are music related. Right at the time when we’re wondering about a new use for our charitable dollars, we received an email from our friend Frank Ford; ace repair guru from Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA. He wanted to tell us about Heroes’ Voices, a group that Gryphon has been helping out, thinking that LMI would be another good partner for them. Recognizing the huge role that music therapy is playing in the rehabilitation of American Veterans, Heroes Voices is helping get good playing guitars into the hands of Vets participating in VA music therapy programs. Contributed instruments have been flowing through Gryphon’s famed repair department, so Frank and his team can ready them for use.We met with Heroes Voices’ Richard Harrell and learned more about the program. Helping America’s Vets get into music and guitar has a wide range of benefits (see their website below for details) – and who is more deserving. We immediately started to include flyers in orders so that our customers could become more familiar with the program. You can take a look at the flyer here. In the future, we hope to develop our facility as a drop-off and transfer depot for donated guitars.Many of us have old guitars that just aren’t getting the attention they deserve. Please consider contacting Heroes’ Voices about getting your instrument into the hands of a Veteran in need. It doesn’t matter if it is an old Martin, a custom-made instrument that’s not ready to market or a low-cost import. They will do a great job of getting it to the right person. It’s tax deductible, it’s a great cause…and it’s the season. Thanks!

• Heroes’ Voices website