Help us launch Phase 2—music therapy for veterans at Maple City Music in St. Albans, VT. Your gift jumpstarts sessions led by a board-certified music therapist, subsidizes veteran participation, and builds a safe, healing space.

If you’d rather donate vinyl in good condition, please mail it to 393 Cook Road, Saint Albans, VT 05478.

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Why this matters

I’m Walter Byrne, a 28-year Army veteran (retiring), and Maple City Music is more than a record shop—it’s a community for healing through music. We’re building a place where veterans can decompress, connect, and grow—through rhythm, songwriting, listening, and performance. Phase 1 set the foundation. Phase 2 activates music therapy, so those doors translate into real support.

Our mission: Use the power of music to improve well-being, resilience, and connection for veterans and their families—right here in Franklin County and across Vermont.

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What we’ve already accomplished (proof of progress)

• $5,000 Work Vessels for Vets grant awarded for equipment.

• Graduated from Warrior Rising University, sharpening our veteran-led business plan and leadership toolkit.

• Pitch deck drafted for an additional grant competition in October.

• In talks with a board-certified music therapist (MT BC); program targeted to open Fall 2026.

• Two successful pop-ups to date (City of St. Albans & 14th Star Brewing), with three more scheduled.

• E-commerce + fulfillment fully live (Squarespace + Rollo labeler with accurate USPS rates).

• Active social presence (IG, FB, TikTok) and Weekly Vermont Artist Highlight series.

• “Real Formats” membership program in development to sustain programming.

• Built out the Phase 1 space (photos below) and sourced instruments & gear to host group circles and 1:1 sessions.

I’ll include photos of the gear purchased, our build-out progress, and certificate milestones so you can see the journey.

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What your gift funds in Phase 2

Every dollar goes towards standing up music therapy services and veteran access.

• Session delivery (highest priority): Contracting a board-certified music therapist (MT BC) to run group circles (drumming, songwriting, listening labs) and 1:1 sessions.

• Veteran subsidies: Cover or lower session costs so no veteran is turned away.

• Space readiness: Room treatment (acoustic panels/insulation), seating, storage, and safety/ADA items.

• Instruments & consumables: Hand percussion, mics, stands, strings, drum heads, recording interface, cleaning supplies.

• Program evaluation: Simple, privacy-respecting measures to track impact (mood, stress, connection).

• Insurance & compliance: Coverage and professional fees required to operate responsibly.

Transparent starter budget (goal: $5,000)

• MT BC retainer & program design (pre-launch): $2,000

• Acoustic treatment & room fit out: $1,200

• Instruments & consumables (hand percussion, strings, heads, mics): $800

• Veteran fee subsidies (pilot launch): $700

• Insurance/compliance & admin: $300

Phase 2 Launch Goal: $5,000

If we exceed the goal, we’ll expand veteran subsidies and add additional group nights once sessions begin in Fall 2026.

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Ways to help (two easy options)

1. Donate funds on this page to launch sessions and veteran subsidies.

2. Donate vinyl records (VG+ or better):

Mail to: Maple City Music

*393 Cook Road, Saint Albans, VT 05478

• Please avoid warped/scratched/moldy records.

• Pack tightly in a sturdy box with padding.

• We’ll clean, grade, and use the sale proceeds to fund veteran sessions.

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The impact your gift makes

• $25 → supplies for a group session (mallets, drum heads, strings).

• $50 → covers one veteran’s seat in a group circle.

• $150 → funds one individual 60-minute music therapy session.

• $500 → sponsors a whole group night (6–8 veterans).

• $1,000+ → Founding Sponsor: name on our Donor Wall and an invitation to a private gratitude listening event.

(Amounts are approximate; we’ll publish an impact report as we go.)

Warm regards,

Walter

Founder/Owner