SOUTHWICK – Just over a year ago, Southwick resident Patrick Kiendzior began to do some research on the web. A combat veteran in the Marine Corps who did two tours in Iraq, Kiendzior was specifically looking for research about the different struggles veterans can have after they come back home.
With the help of his wife Andrea Kiendzior, Patrick was able to find Project 22. A documentary film that focuses on two veterans riding 6,500 miles across the country, Project 22 is centered on helping veterans with the struggles they might face. Daniel Egbert is the co-owner and director while Doc King is the other co-owner and creative director who both ride across the country. The number 22 comes from the studies shown that 22 veterans a day commit suicide in the United States.
As Project 22 made its initial release on April 15, 2015, Egbert and King interviewed several researchers, health care providers, as well as veterans in order to get their perspectives on the high suicide rate amongst veterans.
Andrea has been able to coordinate an event in the local area that can bring more awareness to veterans.
Actor and filmmaker of Project 22, Doc King, will be flying out from California for the film screening at Whalley Park on August 26. (Photo by Bob Alves of Throttle Rocker Magazine)
With the help of several local sponsors, Kiendzior has been able to reach out to King and his team as he will be flying out from California to the Western Massachusetts area.
On Friday August 26, a public screening of Project 22 will be held at Whalley Park in Southwick at 7 pm. King will be present where people can meet him there.
The following day on Saturday, there will be a motorcycle ride for veterans at Noon that will start at the Harley Davidson in Southampton. It will be $22 per bike and King will also be involved in the ride. Harley Davidson of Southampton will be providing a bike for King to ride for the afternoon.
This will not mark the first time that Andrea has been able to set up a screening for Project 22. Andrea was able hold a private screening of Project 22 at the Rave Cinemas in West Springfield last year. It was determined to be a success with an estimate of around 100 people attending.
Local holistic services such as herbs, acupuncture, yoga, spas and art rooms, to name a few, will also be at the event to provide information on the services that they offer to help the veterans in various ways.
These places offer alternative treatments like healing, massage, structural therapy, as well as activities with arts like pottery.
“That’s a lot of what the guys did in the film,” said Kiendzior. “We want to show our local veterans that’s available here too.”
King will then be handing out free copies of Project 22 to all riders. The event doesn’t end after
the motorcycle ride as The Cove Banquet Facility and Tavern in Southwick will be providing food,
two live bands, and a cash bar.
The two-day event all started with Patrick researching the very important issue and now has turned into a great opportunity for the veteran community.
“This is a way of not only helping my husband but helping as many as veterans as we can at one time,” said Kiendzior.
Half of the proceeds will be given to the One Call Away Foundation run by Dave Sutton, and the other half will go to Project 22. For a look at the trailer of Project 22, it is available on their website, medicinalmissions.com.
