HOUSTON, TEXAS – September 1, 2014 – A corps of former Stratford High School (SHS) alumni, spearheaded by Los Angeles producer and wellness guru Sara Matthews (SHS Class of ’79), are staging a musical fundraiser, “Lone Star Freedom Forces,” to help support the post-production and distribution of Matthews’ short film Isaiah is Talking, which highlights issues faced by returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The event begins at 6 p.m. this Saturday, September 6th at Clay’s Restaurant in Houston and is open to the public.

The short film, which will be submitted to several major film festivals, explores veterans’ issues ranging from PTSD, suicide, depression, loss of fellow soldiers, substance abuse, and reintegrating into civilian society. It has been supported primarily through crowd funding via social media. Funds will go towards completing and marketing the film, which will also be made available for veterans’ organizations to use in their own fundraising and educational efforts.

The brain child of Matthews, several SHS alumni are also co-producing the film and participating in staging the event, including Carrie Rexrode Pawlik (Class of ’77), Christina Campbell (Class of ’84), Scott Rawlings (Class of ’81), Bob King (Class of ’79) and Scott Witt (Class of ’79). The venue, Clay’s, is owned by Damian Seaback (Class of ’77) who attended Westchester High School, which merged with Stratford in 1984.

The event will feature Texas BBQ, patriotic fashions, a trailer of the film, and music by headliner Sunny Day (Rawlings) of Austin, who will be performing the film’s theme song “The Ballad of Isaiah.” Other local and regional bands who will participate in the evening’s entertainment are Buffalo Nickel, and Dean Nava and the Holy Clams.

“This has really been a labor of love for me,” said Matthews. “I was inspired in February of 2013 to make this film after interviewing several veterans in the Los Angeles area who were trying to reshape their lives. Reuniting with old friends and classmates on this effort has just made the journey all the more special for me.”

“Our venue is the perfect family-friendly space for an event like this. Clay’s has always supported the community, and I can’t think of a better cause to be showcasing than what can be done to assist our brave soldiers coming back from war,” said Seaback.

“Thanks to social media, I reunited with my friend Sara after 37 years and have made some new friends who are also Stratford alums. I am so honored to be working for this cause and to be part of the solution,” said Rexrode-Pawlik.

Tickets for “Lone Star Freedom Forces” range from $18 to $25 and may be purchased online or at the door. Children under 12 eat free. Online tickets may be purchased at http://shop.isaiahistalking.com.

Clay’s is located at 17717 Clay Road, Houston, Texas 77084, off of Highway 6.