Smiles I Can't See

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New Milford, CT
Smiles I Can't See

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"Getting Guitars into the Hands of Children" Recipients of this organization's support will reside in the US.

MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of this organization is to provide guitars to children, young people, and families at no cost, who would not otherwise be able to afford them. This organization will educate children, young people and families in music performance and appreciation facilitating music performance and appreciation in the wider communities. This organization will establish a network of musicians and social activists to help identify disadvantaged young people and refer them to this organization for assistance. It will strive to educate people and enhance artistic performance and appreciation while combating community deterioration and preventing juvenile delinquency. Furthermore, this corporation will carry out any additional activities that are seen by the directors or officers as of the corporation as being helpful for bringing about the well-being of persons, families, and communities as well as the enhancement of life. To Donate;
Venmo to SmilesICantSee
Paypal to [email protected]
Or ask for address for hard copy checks.

11/01/2026

Wilton, Connecticut - October 31, 2026
I never fancied myself as a cabaret singer but one facility, not this one, has a flyer in the elevator that says, "Cabaret singer, Vincent Rodriguez, today at 2pm in the lounge." I kinda like that moniker (look at me using the word moniker!) It brings back visions of Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca." The smaller, more quaint rooms are nice. This 2 minute video features a song by Lobo and ends with me waking a woman up with a Don McClean song. She was sleeping through much of the performance although she had a smile the whole time. She pleasantly wakes up at the end, laughs, and grabs my arm. "Play it again Sam." Our journeys continue...

09/20/2026

Guitars 322 and 323 - Meet 17 year old Ari and her brother who just turned 10, Sam. They both were using old guitars that were long overdue to be replaced. Ari had bought Sam a guitar at a Goodwill that was already broken and he played it anyway until it finally snapped in half. Ari's guitar was 30 years old and also falling apart as she played every day. Their mom contacted me two weeks ago via the SmilesICantSee.Org website and was surprised when she got a reply right away. They live not too far from Hartford. Two new Ibanez guitars arrived last week just in time for Sam's 10th birthday which he proudly brought to school the first day he had it. This is a music oriented family and both Sam and Ari have a bright future in the world of music. Our journeys continue. If you would like to donate to Smiles I Can't See there is information on how to do so at SmilesICantSee.Org as well as how to nominate a child for a guitar.

06/21/2026

Smiles I Can't See received a request for a guitar for a horse. Look it up it's a thing. SmilesICantSee.Org

06/11/2026

The Samick guitar on the left and the banjo were recently donated to Smiles I Can't See from Carolyn Kaufman and the Yamaha on the right was given to me by Michael Eastland yesterday. It was waiting for me at reception when I got to Brightview Senior Living where I played yesterday. Hmmm, maybe if some of the places that I play can collect used guitars locally to donate when I'm there next visiting the residents can become a thing? Thank you Carolyn and Michael, new homes will be found for the instruments! OJC

05/31/2026

"Sweet Juliet"
I had an idea while driving to Brightview Lake Tappan in New York yesterday how to make one of the best singalong songs ever more interesting and personal at each performance. Why mess with perfection you say? I don't know but it's worth a try. First of all, the "pom, pom, pom" and the "so good, so good, so good" are not part of the original song and this somehow became the most well-known part of it. How did this come about? Did one person make up both parts? Did someone on the west coast create "pom, pom, pom" and did someone on the east coast create "so good, so good, so good" and somewhere in the middle of the country both were combined? There had to be a time when this happened for the first time and who started it? Neil Diamond is a great song writer. I find it hard to believe he wrote this for a young Caroline Kennedy, but I think he originally wrote it for his wife, Marcia but 2 syllables didn't work. This video is the first time I ever asked the audience, who had a female 3 syllable name and incorporated it into a closing number. As long as I use a different 3 syllable name, the possibilities are endless. It does add a bit to the big finish. Standup comedy always intrigued me and now I sometimes get the opportunity while hiding behind the disguise of being a musician. Could changing the name for "Sweet Caroline" work each day? This 5 minute video gives us the answer. Added bonus, see the TV in the background. The man is also waving his hands! OJC.

05/28/2026

It's a tough job but someone has to do it. This morning Poughkeepsie Senior Center did not disappoint. Video to come later. Look close to see if you recognize anyone in the volleyball game here after I finished playing.

05/08/2026

Guitar 320

05/08/2026

Guitar Number 320
I visited Dan at a facility in Danbury, Connecticut where he is being treated for head and neck cancer. A woman from Ann's Place in Danbury contacted me and said Dan wants to learn to play the guitar. He received this Yamaha guitar that was donated to Smiles I Can't See, a 501c3 non-profit based in New Milford, CT from Christoper Brown of Bethel, CT. I had a nice visit with Dan as we talked about playing the guitar, his illness, where he grew up and worked and his medical challenges in life. He was very open and approved of being filmed and talking to me. The honest conversation was very interesting. The half hour flew by and it was not easy to whittle it down to this 17 minutes where I also play his new guitar and give him a few pointers. I plan on checking in with him from time to time to see how he is doing. Good luck Dan. Our journeys continue.

04/14/2026

These 3 guitars were donated to Smiles I Can't See from Ann Marie Hennessey Charest recently and they are in perfect condition. The bass guitar on the right is quite heavy and would be best for an older child/young adult.

04/02/2026

Yesterday, I posted a fake story for April 1st. It must be real if you read it on the Internet, right? Remember this when you read things online. Check to make sure it's real before you spread anger and hate. But one thing that is real is that I recently gave away guitar number 318 courtesy of Smiles I Can't See to a third grade boy who is from Ecuador. I met with his teacher, Stephanie Kish Carlson at Sarah Noble Intermediate School in New Milford, Connecticut who contacted me recently. She told me the boy had a guitar in Ecuador but does not have one now that he lives here. So this Spanish style guitar donated by Marlene McGrade was perfect. I heard the boy was very thankful. To find out more about the 501c3 non-profit go to SmilesICantSee.Org. Our journeys continue.

Address

New Milford, CT
06776

Website

http://www.smilesicantsee.org/

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