My name is Kris. I am a luthier in a small town in Eastern Kentucky. In 2013, I started as an apprentice at the School of Luthiery and soon was blessed with the opportunity to co-create a promising guitar factory. In 2019, my workplace was established and it was there that I built a tenor ukulele, a flat iron style mandolin and manufactured my custom design, KP Acoustic Guitar. Growing up with uncertainty in my direction in life made being drawn to luthiery a blessing. Working at the string instrument factory has brought me joy, gratitude and fulfillment. The factory flourished and soon partnered with a recovery program that welcomes individuals who are recovering from addiction. The program provides these people with a purpose. These are individuals who have been told throughout their lives they wouldn’t amount to anything, individuals who simply need direction or individuals who need to know they have a future and that their errors aren’t the end of the road. When these participants create an instrument, it gives them a sense of pride and the difference that this meaningful work makes in the lives of those in recovery is beyond measure. The accomplishment they feel after building an instrument gives them the positivity they desperately need. My love for music led me to luthiery but it was God that led me to counsel and guide participants on their road to recovery which is an objective worth striving for.
However, on July 28, 2022, the school and factory was destroyed by an unimaginable and historic flood. When I was finally able to get to the factory to assess the damage, the devastation and destruction was overwhelming. As I stood in the front lobby of the factory to absorb the damage, emotions of sadness and heartbreak washed over me. Yesterday’s conversations of self confidence and gratitude, sounds of wood working machinery and guitar strumming have now been replaced with water, mud, sadness and chaos. The instruments that the students and I poured our heart and soul into were destroyed. All of my sentimental achievements and my one of a kind creations were gone. I felt defeated since much of my work is a part of me. Not only is being a luthier my pride and joy, but it also provides the financial security for me and my family. I stored all my personal tools, materials and objects that took me years to collect at the factory. These are items that I personally purchased just to assist my colleagues and my artistry. This loss is the scariest thing I’ve ever had to endure. It’s extremely hard to stay hopeful when the outlook to rebuild the factory is grim and replacing my tools, equipment and artwork on my own is doubtful. At the same time, the worry for my family’s financial stability is heart-wrenching, as my fiance was laid off in May and my employment is our only current income. Cleanup has been extremely emotional and finding the strength to search for tools and salvageable items is difficult and exhausting for all of us. It’s hard to not lose hope and keep reminding my colleagues and myself that this is just a bump in the road.
Because of this, I am asking you to assist me in rebuilding my personal loss. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will make a huge impact. Thank you for assisting me during this devastating time. It’s supporters like you that help us get through difficult circumstances.
https://paypal.me/bsparkman208?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
