Press Release: Wounded Warriors Fundraiser This Sunday at Veteran's Isle

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announces the sixth of 2014 Wounded Warriors benefits!  The fourth year running!

Frets Nirvana, the premier songwriting and guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the sixth of the monthly series of Wounded Warriors benefits in Second Life for 2014.  This effort is now in it’s fourth year!

Frets Nirvana states:  “As a result of the support of many in Second Life this effort raised over $13000 in 2013 for WWP and prior to that $12000 in 2012.  2014 will be the fourth year that we are maintaining this effort and hopefully with all the great support of the artists and others in Second Life we will once again do well.  What a great thing it is to help the wounded veterans whose sacrifices allow us the freedom to enjoy things like Second Life.”

More than 50,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns.  Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.

Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on June 29, 2014 is scheduled from 5-9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be Zak Claxton, Voodoo Shilton, Frets Nirvana and Noma Falta.

ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIORS  - Wounded Warrior Project began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. What had been initially viewed as a small contribution (compared with what the warriors had sacrificed while serving our country) has become WWP's signature program:"WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors."  Wounded Warriors program has developed significantly over the last several years to include advocacy, benefits counseling, caregivers retreats, coping/family services, peer mentoring, warriors to work and many other programs for the benefit of United States wounded veterans.

To learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Wounded Warriors Raises Over 50,000 Lindens at Benefit

On Sunday Feb 26 from 5PM to about 9PM SL time (Midnight EST), the monthly Wounded Warrior Benefit took place. The music concert, organized by singer Frets Nirvana, took place at Veterans Isle.

Tonight, Sunday Feb 23, is the second of 2014's Wounded Warrior's monthly benefits in Second Life. We will do our best to exceed last year's donations of $13000 ….hoping for $14000 in 2014! Freedom comes at a price ….paid by few for many. Come and help support those who have made that sacrifice. Enjoy good music and help a great cause.

Four musicians took part in the fundraiser.  Pondman Haalan (Alton Rex) started things off. Reggierookswood Sunset (Andy Frost) took the stage at 6 PM. At 7, Frets Nirvana himself took the stage with his guitar. Donn Devore (Edward Kyomoon) performed for the last hour.

About $51,500 had been raised at the close of the event. Talking to Frets Nirvana afterwards, "We gave it all we could." Asking him whom was likely to be on stage for the next event, "let's see ... PonDman, Maximillion Kleene, Franklee anatra ... and of course me."

The next Wounded Warriors Benefit at Veterans Isle is scheduled to take place Sunday March 30th, Veterans Isle (116/206/23)

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Wounded Warriors Bennefit, February 23

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announces the second of 2014 Wounded Warriors benefits!  The fourth year running!

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the second of the monthly series of Wounded Warriors benefits in Second Life for 2014.  This effort is now entering it’s fourth year!

Frets Nirvana states:  “As a result of the support of many in Second Life this effort raised over $13000 in 2013 for WWP and prior to that $12000 in 2012.  2014 will be the fourth year that we are maintaining this effort and hopefully with all the great support of the artists and others in Second Life we will once again do well.  What a great thing it is to help the wounded veterans whose sacrifices allow us the freedom to enjoy things like Second Life.”

More than 50,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns.  Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.

Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on February 23, 2014 is scheduled from 5-9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be PonDman Haalan, Reggiesunset Rookswood, Frets Nirvana and Donn Devore.

ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIORS  - Wounded Warrior Project began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. What had been initially viewed as a small contribution (compared with what the warriors had sacrificed while serving our country) has become WWP's signature program:"WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors."  Wounded Warriors program has developed significantly over the last several years to include advocacy, benefits counseling, caregivers retreats, coping/family services, peer mentoring, warriors to work and many other programs for the benefit of United States wounded veterans.  To learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,840/

For more information, contact Frets Nirvana

Wounded Warriors Bennefit Raises Almost 180,000 Lindens

On Sunday evening, the final Wounded Warriors concert at Veterans Isle took place. Every month, the sim holds a music bennefit for the charity, organized by musician Frets Nirvana.

It is my hope that everyone that can will come and support this great cause ...we are targeting sending $13000 RL to Wounded Warriors this year and this is our last chance to hit it. Year to date we have sent a little over $12000 to WWP. So we need to get those donation jars to at least 225k Linden on Sunday night , the equivalent of about $900 to hit $13000 in 2013. This is a high target but we have done it before. Second Life you can do it! And what a great way to end 2013, giving back to those who allow us to have holidays that are free and secure, with a total figure that matches the year! ...It would be a proud day in Second Life if we can meet that target of $13000 for 2013.


The schedule went with Paul Nowles at 5 PM SL time, Avantgarde Frequency at 6 PM, David Csiszer at 7 PM, and Frets Nirvana himself caping the event at 8 PM. Paul and Avantagarde filled in when two other musicians couldn't make it.


One complication for the event was that another musician, Quantamis Navarathna, had passed away, and the memorial concert in his honor was taking place that day, including for the first few hours for the benefit. There were some concerns that would cut into donations. But the bennefit was well attended anyway, and Frets was satisfied with the results.

We did it! Last night's Wounded Warriors benefits raised 178,435 Linden …and with the help of Riverboat and Seven Springs farm and some others in December we raised another 83,000 Linden. With all that we will be sending Wounded Warriors around $950 in December. That brings the total for 2013 to just a little over $13000!

Frets thanked the other musicians at the concert, as well as others.

 Thank you to Montana Ballard and the folks at Riverboat and Seven Springs farm. And of course thank you to all of the other artists in 2013 as well as the managers, venue owners, sim owners and support personnel who helped make this happen. Checkers Firelight, Dahlea Milena, Gjackie Winkler, Shady Fleming, Taira Vultee, the list goes on. My hope is we can continue this trend in 2014. The need here never stops. The folks that have put themselves in harms way for all of us have a lifelong challenge. Please keep up the support here folks. WE COULD NOT ENJOY MOMENTS LIKE WE HAVE IN SL WITHOUT THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE!




Thank you all, this is the way to celebrate the New Year. Hopefully I have not missed anyone here. It is an honor to be involved.

So ends another year of Wounded Warrior events at Veterans Isle. And for 2014, the people involved are all set to do just as good, or better.

"Folks, it's been such a pleasure"

The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project's objective is to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

Bixyl Shuftan 

Press Release: Wounded Warriors Fundraiser Concert this Sunday

This Sunday evening December 29 we will be conducting the last of this year's Wounded Warriors benefits. What a lineup ...

PonDman Haalan 5 PM SLT
David Csiszer 6 PM SLT
Frets Nirvana 7 PM SLT
Max Kleene at 8 PM SLT!

It is my hope that everyone that can will come and support this great cause ...we are targeting sending $13000 RL to Wounded Warriors this year and this is our last chance to hit it. Year to date we have sent a little over $12000 to WWP. So we need to get those donation jars to at least 225k Linden on Sunday night ….the equivalent of about $900 to hit $13000 in 2013. This is a high target but we have done it before. Second Life you can do it!

And what a great way to end 2013 ….giving back to those who allow us to have holidays that are free and secure ….with a total figure that matches the year!

If it is in your heart to help please come and donate. If you cannot come but want to help support ….give a donation to a friend (I am available ) and have them put it in for you. It would be a proud day in Second Life if we can meet that target of $13000 for 2013.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped and continue to support this great cause. God Bless our military service personnel! 

The event will be at Veterans Isle (73/216/23)

From Frets Nirvana

Wounded Warriors Raises Over 130K at Two Events

Late this month, the Wounded Warrior Benefit  hosted not just one successful fundraising event, but two. Besides their regular event on the last Sunday of the month at Veteran's Isle, on August 18 the weekend before, there was a performance at Club Vet at "Hells Assassins World MC" in the Brimstone sim. The event by Frets Nirvana went from 6PM to a little past 9PM SL time, and was attended by close to three dozen. The concert itself was on a skybox in the middle of a huge racetrack on the sim. The goal was to raise 65,000 Lindens. Over 70,000 was raised.

A week later, Frets was back at Veterans Isle with three other musicians. Laidback Celt started things off at 5PM SL time, Shannon Oherlihy played at 6PM , Frets himself got on stage at 7PM, and Von Johin finished off the event from 8 to 9PM (Midnight EST). The crowd was a little smaller, with two dozen in the audience, and 65,000 Lindens were raised.

Frets hopes that Wounded Warriors will raise 13,000 US dollars in Second Life this year.

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warriors Live Music Event

June 30 is the sixth in our monthly Wounded Warriors benefit in SL for 2013. And it is a great lineup ...kicking off your July 4th week! Come and celebrate our Independence week the right way ...supporting those who give us our freedom! 5-9 PM at Veteran's Isle In SL.

5 PM SLT Pondman Haalan
6 PM SLT Christopher135 Quan
7 PM SLT Frets Nirvana
8 PM Dirtydee Sweetwater

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Veterans%20Isle/124/152/3501

Wounded Warrior Event Raises 275,000 Lindens

Last Sunday, the final of the Wounded Warrior benefits for the year took place. At Patriot Island, four live musicians, including Frets Nirvana sung to the audience to raise one final amount of cash for the disabled veterans' charity for the year. So how much was raised and did they meet their goals?

Read more in Events.

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises Over 300,000 Lindens

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday Nov 25, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warrior fundraiser. From 4PM to just after 9PM SL time, four live musicians and a DJ performed at the stage in the sim's hangar building. The event was attended by up to a few dozen at the sim at once.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend folks.  The monthly Wounded Warriors benefit is tonight ...and right now Waya Snowpaw is doing it up big time! … Come on out and give thanks by donating to our Veterans and support those who give us our freedom! 

The Lindens slowly built up over time. The cash raised was displayed in the two upside down helmet collection jars on each side of the performers stage. As the musicians played, the listeners danced below. DJ Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, Paul Nowles, Frets Nirvana & Chapman Zane performed. Frets Nirvana had helped organize the event, on occasion offering to match donations made by listeners, "Got a-ways to go folks. I will put another 1k in if someone else will." Dahlea Milena, who helps run the sim, encouraged people to donate. GJackie Winkler helped give thank you for those donating.

The fundraising goal for the night was 275,000 Lindens, "We have sent over $10,000 RL to Wounded Warriors this year" Frets explained to the audience, "We want to send $12000, we need 275k linden to stay on target."

By 5:30, 29,000 had been raised. By 6, the amount had gone up to 49,000. By 6:30, the amount was over 72,000, which went up to 83,350 in a few minutes. By 6:40 the 100,000 mark had been passed. Donations continued throughout the night. Finally at 8:56 the amount was 271,000 Lindens. Someone then chipped in 4,000 to bring the amount to the 275,000 goal. GJackie Winkler, "Rght now we are at 275,851L, !Wow! You all are so wonderful, big huge huggsss!" Frets Nirvana added, "Excellent, just absolutely excellent folks!"

As the minutes went by, people continued to chip in, "278k!" "Let's see 300K." The musician at the end, Chapman Zane, continued on for a few more minutes, finishing with a "Yehaa!" followed by "Folks, I want to thank you all very much. … you all are wonderful."

The total amount raised at the conclusion of the event was 304,851 Lindens. Following the change of the music stream back to radio, Chapman explained, "I think the WW's program is great. It's a way for us to give back to those that gave for us." Dahlea added, "I think everyone did an incredible effort here tonight. The musicians and their fans are a HUGE part of this, their support for our Wounded Warriors is just so heartwarming and Frets is just absolutely the best at organizing this and putting in so much effort gathering all this great talent and his own time & talent too, I'm absolutely so very very grateful for all the hard work he puts into this." (smile)

For more on the Wounded Warrior Project, click here: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises 375,000 Lindens

On Sunday May 27th, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warrior benefit. Held at the hangar bay stage in the eastern part of the sim, musicians performed for the crowd as they donated cash into two kiosks on either side of the stage, resembling overturned helmets. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the bar was set high. It was announced their goal was a total amount of 275,000 Lindens that night.

For the first hour, Avantgarde Frequency performed for the crowd as the Lindens were tossed into the helmet kiosks, strumming his guitar. Then came Frets Nirvana, the organizer of the event, with his own guitar. Following Frets was Voodoo Shilton, and Mulder Watts on stage together. The audience numbered close to fifty residents at times. Among them were CNN iReporter Any1 Gynoid, and two leading members of the RFL Passionate Redheads team, Sabine McGettin and Dusk Griswold.

As time went on, the Lindens piled up. Occasionally someone offered to chip in an amount, such as 500 or 1000 Lindens, if someone matched their donations. "Come on, this is for a good cause guys! Who's gonna match me?" While Frets Nirvana played, the total passed 200,000 Lindens. When his time on stage was up at 8PM, the total raised was a little shy of the goal at 239,000 Lindens.

Then at 8:03, one or two persons chipped in a massive amount, raising the total by 79,000 Lindens "Yayayay! 79 K!" The amount raised rose to 319,000, and the fundraiser goal had been reached, "Did you just say we made 320K?" Over and over again, people were told, "… thanks for the WW donation." "… thanks for the awesome WW donation." The total went up to 330, then past 340 and 350. Finally at 9:20, "Ohhhhhhhh wow! 375,000 total!" "Woot! 375k!" "Great show guys, thanks!" "U guys killed it! Played hard. Thats how i like to hear it! YAY!" "YAAAAAY FRETS!" "That's awesome, 375000. (grins) That's about 1500 USD!!!" "Voodoo, Mulder, thank you both so very VERY much. You guys were awesome tonight."

Frets Nirvana himself spoke, "Excellent folks, just excellent. Just made my Memorial Day weekend, and our vets!

Patriot Island is owned by the US Military Veterans Group. Besides home to a community of vets and the location of public events, it is in part a memorial site, a replica of the Tomb of Unknowns in the center. So visitors are asked to be respectful while visiting. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project "began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

Bixyl Shuftan

Over 200,000 Lindens Raised at Wounded Warriors Bennefit

On Sunday April 29th, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warriors benefit. The event began at 6 PM, with ReggieSunset Rookswood taking the stage, and about a few dozen danced to his music on the floor below. On either side of the stage, two kiosks resembling overturned helmets accepted the donations.

As the event went on, the total amount gathered was announced to the audience. Finally at 6:54, the hundred thousand threshhold was crossed, "We have 102,925L so far!" At 7PM, it was Frets Nirvana who took the stage, and the music & dancing went on.

The event went on to 9PM SL time (Midnight EST), and a total of 214,000 Lindens were raised. Frets told that next month's singers will be, "PonDman, Guitar Zane, little old me, Mulder Watts and Voodoo Shilton."

Bixyl Shuftan

Almost 300,000 Lindens Raised at Wounded Warriors Benefit

On Sunday February 26 at 8PM SL time, there was a Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert at Patriot Island. The event was organized by singer Mandkind Tracer, known as Seth Regan in real life. Mandkind planed to play for at least an hour, with the goal of raising 275 thousand Lindens.

The event was held in a hangar-like building in the center-east of the sim, next to a B-24 Liberator and a WW1 biplane. People began showing up at the event early. One lady who dropped in ten minutes before the start told me it was already starting to get crowded. It didn't take long for the hangar to become packed with over fifty avatars.

Even before the event started, people had been donating. Frets Nirvana announced at the start they already had 106,000 Lindens donated, pointing to two helmet displays on both sides of the stage. Within minutes, the total passed 150,000 then 160,000. And from then on, the amount steadily increased. Both Frets and the head of Mandkind's fan group Kalli "Brandy" Birman continued to encourage people to donate.

To encourage donations, at one point Mandkind began offering a set of three of his inworld CDs to those donating 1500 Lindens, a discount from his normal price. He reminded listeners that one could burn the music onto real life CDs, and listen to his music outside Second Life.

Just before 9PM SL time, the amount raised hit 250,000 Lindens, a quarter million. At 9:07 PM, the total had passed 260,000. Five minutes later, it was 265,000, "So close." Finally at 9:17 PM. Frets Nirvana announced, "Excellent! 275k!" And the audience cheered, "Wooooooot! It's been done."

Even after the goal was reached, people continued to chip in. A total of 288,450L was seen contributed, over 1,100 US dollars. Not everyone at the benefit was American, "I am from Egypt and I am proud to help." Mankind played until about 9:30 when he wished the audience well, and ported out. "Thank you so much, Mankind" one of his fans told him. Some in the audience continued to dance away for a little longer before all went their separate ways.

Patriot Island is owned by the US Military Veterans Group. It is in part a memorial site, a replica of the Tomb of Unknowns in the center, so visitors are asked to be respectful of the fact: no firing weapons and no partisan activity. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project "began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

"God Bless Our Troops." "Thank you all for coming tonight. Hope you all had fun, and hope to see you next month."

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert on Jan 29

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the first Wounded Warriors benefit for the year 2012.

More than 30,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.

Frets Nirvana states: “As a result of the support of many in Second Life this effort we raised over $9200 in 2011 for WWP. We hope to meet a target of $12,000 in 2012. We are going for 12 in 12!”

Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life Talent monthly at Patriot Island. The concert on January 29, 2012 is scheduled from 4-9 PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, TerryLynn Melody, Frets Nirvana, and Avantgarde Frequency.

Patriot Island (162, 122, 29)

Press Release

The Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert

On May 29th, the day before Memorial Day, the US Military Veterans Center at Patriot Island held a Benefit for the Wounded Warriors Project. The event went on for several hours, from 4 to 9 PM SL time. Among the musicians were Waya Snowpaw, Pondman Haalan, Franklee Antara, Frets Nirvana, and Von Johin.

The event was packed, with the number of residents in the sim steadily remaining close to fifty. The musicians played on a stage in front of a model of the USS Missouri, and the American flag. The songs sung were a variety of tunes. Some were simply patriotic, others were cautionary tales.

The goal of the event was to raise 170,000 Lindens, collections made from two upturned helmets on either side of the stage. After the last musician got on stage, the objective was reached. But people continued to send over Lindens. The final amount raised was close to 180,000.

The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan group founded to help wounded Veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. It started by simply providing “comfort items,” but grew “into a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they recover and transition back to back to civilian life.”

Patriot Island is a veteran-owned sim, with regular events, “We provide information, advocacy and outreach to active duty service members, vets and their families. When you join our group, you become part of a big family that cares about one another and shares info vital to vets. In addition, we provide space to several national Veterans Service Organizations.”

Bixyl Shuftan