JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Some people give back to the community by feeding those who are hungry. Some people give back to the community by entertaining them with live music. In the case of this Reserve Citizen Airman, he’ll be doing both!
Staff Sgt. Zachary Kehley, 35th Aerial Port Squadron training manager, with the 514th Air Mobility Wing, is scheduled to perform live with his band Poeta, October 9, 2021, for Rocktoberfeast at Headliner Night Club in Neptune, N.J.
“Rocktoberfeast is important because it’s organized by amazing people who genuinely want to improve the community and the people within it,” said Kehley. “They’re establishing a vital resource for our local veterans by providing meals and other means of assistance when they’re in need of it.”
The amazing people Kehley is referring to are The Local Fix Foundation, a millennial powered, 100% volunteer based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that produces local events to fundraise and bring awareness to social issues and underserved communities. This will be the third year The Local Fix Foundation has organized Rocktoberfeast.
“The story goes that the founder invited veterans who had no one to spend Thanksgiving with for dinner and more than 400 hungry veterans were fed,” said Kehley. “That evolved into Roctoberfeast where all proceeds will go to A Need We Feed, a nonprofit that delivers food to veterans and those in need.”
Although Kehley has just started his Reserve career with the 514th AMW, he has been part of the Air Force since 2014. It was largely due to serving that Kehley realized the importance of music in his life.
“Not until I joined the military did I find people who were as passionate about music as me,” said Kehley. It allowed me to find out that music was a pivotal part of my life.
Kehley and his band Poeta are scheduled to perform October 9, from 2-6 p.m., at Headliner night club located at 1401 Route 35, Neptune City, New Jersey 07753.