By Megan MELNYK

Those who attend the weekly Sunday Montrose Harvest Market often find their senses entertained by the sights and sounds of the different booths that are lined up and down Honolulu Avenue. But those who take a moment to look away from the displays may find themselves encountering someone truly inspiring.

On the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu, there stands, a head above everyone else, a teenage boy with a guitar whose musical riffs intertwine with the sounds of the market. On the ground in front of him rests a sign with the words “All donations go to the poor and homeless” that is decorated with pictures of the people he has met.

Joey O’Neil Jr., a student at Glendale High School, first started playing the guitar during the Montrose Harvest Market a year ago. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, playing guitar provided him with a way to interact with his community.

“Guitar helped me by inspiring me to play more and not let my autism stop me from going out in the world,” Joey said.

His father was the one who first suggested that he play at the Montrose Harvest Market. They obtained a permit and, uniting Joey’s passion for music with his love for people, the teenager decided to raise money from his performances to donate to the homeless.

“[Originally] I wanted him to have an outlet,” said his father, Joe O’Neil Sr. “[I said] he could use the money to save up for his next guitar. He told me that he wanted to use the money to give to the poor.”

The two of them used the money earned from his music to put together bags filled with sandwiches, chips and water that they personally distributed to the homeless. One year later, they continue to do this every Sunday, meeting new people along the way.

 “There’s always someone different with a different story,” Joey said. “I want to keep doing this in the future, maybe on a bigger scale.”

But his heart for people does not only encompass those he raises the money for. Joey also had advice to give to others, like him, who are diagnosed with autism.

“When I picked up the guitar it helped my autism a little more. Most kids just stay at home. [My music] keeps me doing things. If you have a disability don’t get down on yourself, don’t give up, just keep trying and you’ll get it.”

  Megan MELNYK