Young girl's instrumental effort for soldiers

By News Channel 8's Tricia Taskey
Posted October 5, 2008
6:15 PM

Madison (WTNH) -- A young performer, with a big heart, plays her violin to benefit a wounded soldier.

It may not be where you'd expect a violin performance. The checkout at Stop and Shop has been Meilia Picquet's stage on Sunday's.

"It certainly catches your attention," Chris Puricelli, of Madison, said. "What's she doing and why's playing here?"

The 10-year-old came up with the idea to play her violin at Stop & Shop to help raise money for Operation: Music Aid. It's a Madison based non-profit organization that gives musical instruments to U.S. military service men and woman injured while serving our country.

"It's a win win-win situation," Picquet said. "Customers get to hear the music, I get to play and the soldiers get musical instruments."

Instruments serve more than just as nice gifts for the soldiers who serve us. "It even helps heal the soldiers," Co-Founder George Hauer, of Operation Music Aid, said. "Not just in a fun way, it's a type of therapy."

The musical instruments, according to Walter Reed, gives soldiers a sense of self-worth and develops mechanical skills again.

Connecticut resident Jason Coppola, who was wounded in Afghanistan, got a new guitar through the organization in May. He says it's definitely helped the healing process.

"To be recognized as a wounded soldier it's an honor," Coppola said. "It's overwhelming."

Picquet has collected about $4,000 in her tip jug since she started playing at Stop and Shop about a year ago. News Channel 8 has been told that this will buy about 100 instruments.

"Soldiers are brave," Puricelli said. "They're doing a lot for our country."

Picquet says she'll keep playing as long as there's a soldier who needs an instrument.