Avon Lake residents are witnessing a unique form of healing as Project D.R.E.W. (Delivering Restorative Energy to our Warriors) pairs local veterans with talented songwriters for a weekend of music creation. The program, founded by longtime community member Marilyn Zeidner in memory of her friend, U.S. Army veteran Drew Ferguson, provides veterans a safe space to share the often‑heavy experiences of military service.
How the weekend works
During the first day, each veteran meets one‑on‑one with a songwriter. In a relaxed conversation, the veteran recounts his or her service story while the songwriter listens and takes notes. The songwriter then has a single day to craft original lyrics and music that capture the veteran’s narrative. On the second day, the newly written song is performed at a private concert for the veteran, family members, and friends. The performances are recorded and later posted on the Project D.R.E.W. website, allowing the stories to reach a broader audience.
Veterans speak about the impact
“A lot of them might feel they don’t want to talk to their spouse about all these things because it’s too heavy,” Zeidner explained. “But talking to a stranger, they can really open up, and they do.” One veteran shared that it took his spouse 40 years to hear his story, and the song helped bridge that gap.
Marine Corps veteran David Kos, who served from 1992‑1996, described the experience as “something pretty special.” Paired with Cleveland musician Bethany Joy Svoboda, Kos said the collaboration felt more like a conversation than an interview. “She told my story in a way that I’ve never had anybody tell my story before,” he said.
Songwriters find purpose in the project
Svoboda, a participant since 2021, has completed around a dozen songs for veterans. She noted, “Performing a brand‑new song live in front of the person you wrote it for is always nerve‑wracking, but it is a very powerful experience.” Though she does not come from a military family, Svoboda says the project has deepened her appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members.
Barnegie Hall: A community hub
Project D.R.E.W. events are hosted at Barnegie Hall, a renovated 129‑year‑old barn on Zeidner’s property that seats roughly 100 people. Zeidner and her husband, Lorain County Court Judge Jim Miraldi, operate the venue, which regularly features Northeast Ohio musicians. “We pay the bands because supporting live music is part of our mission,” Zeidner said. “Anything above the ticket price goes directly to our programs; we don’t take any money personally.”
The hall’s restoration, completed in 2010 with local volunteers, emphasizes community involvement. “Everything is brand new, and a lot of the materials were donated or heavily discounted,” Zeidner added. “We have the best sound in Cleveland, designed specifically for live music.”
Community response
Word of mouth and a modest email list of about 2,000 subscribers have helped Barnegie Hall fill seats, with roughly half of shows selling out in advance. Local residents who were unaware of the venue are now discovering it, Zeidner noted, “A lot of people from Avon Lake say, ‘I’ve lived here 20 years and I never knew this was here.’”
Project D.R.E.W. continues to grow, offering veterans a creative outlet for processing trauma and giving the community a chance to honor those who have served. For more information on upcoming concerts and how to support the program, visit the Music on a Mission website.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
