Donated Guitar Day - Edwinson content

mikealpine · #1 02-21-2018, 08:09 PM

In another thread from almost two years ago, I reported that my niece, Jordan, had died in a car accident. I don't want to belabor that here. What I want to highlight is a wonderful action on the part Steve Sheriff, one of the kindest and most humble people I know. At the time, I asked Steve if he thought it would make any sense for any luthier to build a guitar to honor my niece, and donate it to a cause in her honor, hopefully raising more than the investment in the build. Steve simply said he had a guitar that he had been building off and on for a while, and that I could have it for the cost of materials. He was willing to donate the time to complete the build. I was floored, to say the least! It was an amazing and heartfelt gesture. In typical Steve fashion, he determined that this was the purpose for this guitar all along. And the guitar is lovely!

The original thread, with pictures, is available here:
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=432754

[I would post them again, but Steve has all the good shots, maybe he'll check in and post them here too.]

Fast forward to the present. As I wrote in that other thread, it took a while to get things in order and to figure out how this guitar would be sold so that the maximum amount of money could be donated in my niece' memory. The fact that it has been taking so long has been weighing heavily on me; I had a vision for how this would come together and it was taking much too long to work out. I didn't want Steve's efforts to have been wasted or to even appear to have simply been taken for granted and set aside.

To start the ball rolling I recently began a discussion with a woman about the guitar, trying to work out the logistics of how someone would donate, then we would get notified and at that point could ship the guitar, working through issue to ensure trust and openness on each end of this. Totally unexpectedly, she said she knows someone that owns some music venues in NYC, perhaps he would allow us to set up a table and auction off the guitar, then we wouldn't have to worry about shipping and everything would be right out in the open. In the end, it is the venue owner who decided to donate the money outright and become the owner of this wonderful instrument. He is donating $5000 in Jordan's honor to various causes that would be near and dear to her, I will be handing off the guitar within the next few days.

Again, I cannot begin to express my appreciation for what Steve did. It is an act of kindness for which I will forever be grateful.

In advance, while I have always and will always appreciate everyone's good and sympathetic thoughts, what Jordan's legacy is all about it kindness. So more than anything, I would simply appreciate it if all that read this do a random act of kindness, however large or small. And when doing so, quietly say, "Because...Jordan." Thank you, my AGF friends.

TomB'sox · #2 02-21-2018, 08:27 PM

I will second what a great guy Steve is, one of a kind for sure and one of the hardest working guys I know! Nuf said there.

I will do as you ask Mike, because... Jordan.

mikealpine · #3 02-21-2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I will second what a great guy Steve is, one of a kind for sure and one of the hardest working guys I know! Nuf said there.

I will do as you ask Mike, because... Jordan.

Thanks so much, Tom!

Halcyon/Tinker · #4 02-21-2018, 10:42 PM

Awesome!

....

mikealpine · #5 02-21-2018, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon/Tinker

Awesome!

....

Yes, thanks, I am fortunate to have met some wonderful people, Steve is about as good as they get.

fitness1 · #6 02-22-2018, 06:22 AM

What an amazing story that I may have missed the first time around. We have to hang on to and honor those that are doing good in the world. Here are your pics.....

Joel Teel · #7 02-22-2018, 07:05 AM

Mike,

I've been friends with Steve for a few years now.....and have spent countless hours, over the past year, working with him out in the shop. If there is anyone here on the forum, who wonders if the level of humility and kindness that Steve displays, actually carries over into real life, I'll tell you.....absolutely YES. He is the real deal.

I was working in the shop when Steve received your email. He stopped everything and read it to me. He was instantly filled with pride.....not a "full of myself" pride.....but the kind of pride that comes directly from the center of an humble heart.....the heart of someone who wanted to make a difference.....

.....because.....Jordan

Joel

mikealpine · #8 02-22-2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

What an amazing story that I may have missed the first time around. We have to hang on to and honor those that are doing good in the world. Here are your pics.....

Todd, thank you for your words and for posting the pictures! We do our best to honor our girl every day. She was, and continues to be, a role model to my daughters. Have a wonderful day!

mikealpine · #9 02-22-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wood Knot

Mike,

I've been friends with Steve for a few years now.....and have spent countless hours, over the past year, working with him out in the shop. If there is anyone here on the forum, who wonders if the level of humility and kindness that Steve displays, actually carries over into real life, I'll tell you.....absolutely YES. He is the real deal.

I was working in the shop when Steve received your email. He stopped everything and read it to me. He was instantly filled with pride.....not a "full of myself" pride.....but the kind of pride that comes directly from the center of an humble heart.....the heart of someone who wanted to make a difference.....

.....because.....Jordan

Joel

Hi Joel,

Thank you so much for writing! I regretted only having time to send that short note yesterday, but was very excited to be able to tell Steve that his generosity was rewarded in exactly the way I/we had hoped for. I know what you mean about the exact kind of pride, I feel it as well, a sweet plan put into motion that worked for the good of others. Steve amazes me. He thanked me for inviting him to share in this. When I asked him about a guitar, it was not to ask him to do anything, just if it was even feasible. I never expected it to work out the way it did, but am not surprised, knowing him now as I do. His example has inspired additional kindness in me, because...you know.

By the way, I won't go into details, but he expressed an amazing connection with you and your wife, a friendship that is beyond measure and worth.

I'm thrilled things are falling into place with your guitar building, and looking forward to seeing some great instruments crafted by you. And hoping to get to know you better as well.

Have a fantastic day,
Mike

Guitars44me · #10 02-22-2018, 09:45 AM

A beautiful and heartfelt memorial to Jordan.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. May it inspire many of us to do something good for no reward! Because... Jordan!

Steve, thanks for your sweet gesture, and beautiful instruments, too!

Be well, have fun, play pretty

Paul

mikealpine · #11 02-23-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

A beautiful and heartfelt memorial to Jordan.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. May it inspire many of us to do something good for no reward! Because... Jordan!

Steve, thanks for your sweet gesture, and beautiful instruments, too!

Be well, have fun, play pretty

Paul

Thank you, Paul. As an aside, Steve is going to be building me a guitar. Somewhere there will be a Jordan-inspired element.

And thank you all for your thoughts, support and kindnesses to me and others you meet. #CheerstoJordan (another expression we utter as we raise a beverage, adult or otherwise)

Nemoman · #12 02-23-2018, 11:20 AM

Totally awesome story here!

Cheers to you, Mike and Steve, and of course...Jordan!

ukejon · #13 02-23-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Totally awesome story here!

Cheers to you, Mike and Steve, and of course...Jordan!

Yes indeed.....very heartwarming.

mikealpine · #14 02-23-2018, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Totally awesome story here!

Cheers to you, Mike and Steve, and of course...Jordan!

It's wonderful when things come together with unexpectedly good results. Thanks so much, and Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukejon

Yes indeed.....very heartwarming.

Thank you! Very happy to be a part of being able to help others through a passion of my own.