Saturday is International Make Music Day, and one local musician is helping give the gift of music - one guitar at a time.

New Milford’s Vincent Rodriguez started ‘Smiles I Can’t See’ during the COVID pandemic.

Since then, the nonprofit has helped donate new and gently used guitars to nearly 300 aspiring musicians who don’t have the means to buy one themselves.

“When I was a kid in the Bronx, my guitar was my best friend,” the 62-year-old says. “We’re only here for a certain amount of time, so we have to make the best of it.”

Most of the guitars go to local children, but Rodriguez says he’s helped facilitate some donations as far away as California.

“I’m not interested in giving lessons so much,” Rodriguez says. “I’m interested in giving it to them and having them take over.”

As long as donations keep coming in, Rodriguez plans to keep buying guitars and giving them to children.

“Hope that music grows,” Rodriguez says. “For myself and for everyone.”