‘Hearts for Heroes’ benefits Springfield Vet Center

Date: 2/11/2016

SPRINGFIELD – For Jess Miller comedy can have a real purpose.

The Springfield-based comic has performed in numerous shows benefitting an organization and she is hosting “Hearts for Heroes” on Feb. 13 at the Springfield Elks Lodge. All of the proceeds will go to The Friends of the Springfield Vet Center.

“I want to help people and comedy is a nice way to do it,” Miller told Reminder Publications.

Miller, a disabled Army veteran herself, started in comedy nearly four years ago. She was interested in theater, but suffered from stage fright. To overcome her fear, she decided to try standup comedy and performed at an open mic at Caroline’s on Broadway, one of New York City’s top comedy showcases.

“I was hooked at that point,” she said of the experience.

Since then she has performed at Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Joker’s Wild, New York Comedy Club, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Comic Strip Live and the Broadway Comedy Club.

Miller will be appearing with fellow comedians Meghan Hanley and headliner, Leah Bonnema. The Huffington Post named Bonnema as one of its “favorite female comedians.” She has appeared on a number of TV shows and was a finalist in the “New York’s Funniest” contest as part of the New York Comedy Festival. She has opened for Darrell Hammond, Kevin Nealon, Paul Mooney, Sarah Silverman, Pat Cooper and Gilbert Gottfried.

Hanley is a regular performer in the comedy circuit in New York City and has opened for Nick DiPaolo and Jon Lovitz.

The Friends of the Springfield Vet Center, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides adjunct services to the Springfield Vet Center. Its purpose is to coordinate and fund social, recreational, educational, health and wellness programs for the Springfield Vet Center and the veterans that it serves.

Miller described the organization as “low key,” but noted the veterans in it “support each other.”

She added the Vets Center offers “enormously important help for the transition to civilian life.”

She noted how at a recent performance she was introduced to a woman whose son was a veteran of Iraq who committed suicide. By the end of the show, though, the woman was smiling and laughing.

“I love it when I can make people laugh,” Miller said. “It’s powerful.”

“Hearts for Heroes” is at the Springfield Elks Lodge at 8 p.m. and includes a full dinner with the comedy show. Tickets are $30 each, $50 per couple or a table of 10 for $200. Businesses can sponsor a table for $200 and tickets will be donated to veterans who cannot afford to purchase them.  Additionally, raffle prizes and cash donations are being accepted.

For more information on the show, purchase tickets or make a donation call 843-384-3207 or go online at www.jessmillercomedy.com.