FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Sweetwater, the locally‑based music‑equipment retailer, is expanding its community outreach by partnering with the national nonprofit Guitars for Vets (G4V). The collaboration uses Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange marketplace to sell donated guitars, basses and other gear, directing the proceeds to purchase brand‑new instruments for veterans who complete G4V’s free 10‑week instructional program.
How the partnership works
Since the Guitars for Vets storefront opened on Gear Exchange in late 2025, nearly 150 donated instruments have been sold. The revenue generated has helped the nonprofit provide hundreds of guitars to veterans enrolled in the program. In addition, Sweetwater supplies gift cards to the volunteer instructors who guide veterans through the lessons, rewarding them based on the number of participants they mentor.
Veterans benefit from music therapy
Music has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool for individuals dealing with post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other service‑related challenges. Guitars for Vets offers a structured curriculum that combines musical instruction with peer support, giving participants a constructive outlet for stress relief and personal growth. Veterans who finish the 10‑week course receive a new guitar and an accessory kit, enabling them to continue practicing at home.
Local roots, national reach
Guitars for Vets began in 2007 when guitar teacher Patrick Nettesheim started giving lessons to Dan VanBuskirk, a Vietnam‑era Marine. The program later expanded to the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and has since grown to more than 150 chapters across all 50 states, supported by over 1,000 volunteers.
Sweetwater’s commitment to service
“We’re proud to partner with Guitars for Vets because their mission speaks to something we believe deeply at Sweetwater,” said Chrissy Pearl, director of integrated marketing with Gear Exchange. “Our goal is to use music to connect with and support those who have served our country.” Nathan LeCompte, interim executive director of Guitars for Vets, added, “Sweetwater isn’t just in the music business; they’re in the people business. Their generosity means so much more than putting an instrument in someone’s hands.”
How to get involved
Fort Wayne residents can browse the Guitars for Vets storefront on Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange website to purchase donated instruments. Those who wish to donate a guitar, bass or other musical equipment are encouraged to contact Guitars for Vets directly. Volunteers interested in teaching can also apply through the nonprofit’s website.
The partnership exemplifies how local businesses can collaborate with national charities to address the unique needs of veterans, reinforcing Fort Wayne’s tradition of supporting service members and their families.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
