Who’s Doing Good? Alchemy Sky, Thunder Gypsy & Smith’s Olde Bar

Alchemy Sky was featured in an article by Devika Rao for the AJC to promote the upcoming Alchemy Sky fundraiser on Veteran’s Day at Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown. (Full article.)

Alchemy Sky provides music therapy programs for veterans by organizing, funding and facilitating group music therapy workshops for nursing home residents at the Veterans Association Medical Center in Atlanta. With 39 workshops since the program’s inception in October 2014, ASF works with the medical leadership at the VA’s nursing home division to raise the overall quality of life and improve the mental and physical health of the residents.

“We work on memory, group cohesion, emotional expression, and communication during our sessions,” said Sam Shanine, assistant director of Metro Music Therapy and clinical music therapist for VA Community Living Center groups.

To support its music therapy programs and its expansion, Alchemy Sky will host a fundraiser on Veteran’s Day at Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown Atlanta to honor veterans and raise money for its programs. Buy tickets here.

Besides attending the fundraiser, Budd emphasizes the need of volunteers to continue building this program and impacting the lives of veterans in a positive way.

“We welcome up to five volunteers in each of our sessions, and volunteers don’t need to be musical,” said Budd. “The volunteers can sing along, shake a tambourine or just spend some time with the veterans as they interact with the music therapist. It makes a huge difference to all those involved.”