Sunday, March 1, 2009

Heather on Earth

This update is a bit delayed, but I wanted to tell all the readers here at Singing in the Bathtub about a unique experience I had with a great organization called Heather on Earth. I had received a call for musicians interested in playing at an event at the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood FL several weeks ago. The turn around time was just a couple of days, but I jumped at the chance to get involved since I have been hoping to do some volunteer work at hospitals in the area. 

Heather on Earth is a foundation that is dedicated to bring the healing power of music to sick children around the country. Founded in memory of Heather Simone Fessler a young girl who loved music, but sadly passed away in 1985, Heather on Earth utilizes the skills of many talented musicians in many different hospitals and communities. Below is a video from the CBS Sunday Morning show highlighting the amazing programming that Heather on Earth provides.



I was able to get in touch with Geri Fessler, the founder of Heather on Earth, at the eleventh hour and made arrangements to visit a party they were hosting at the hospital that very afternoon. As it turned out, I was due to be in Hollywood to do the Trout Fishing In America review in my classroom and to play a gig at Funtastic Friday later that day! The timing was perfect, and Geri took delight in the fact that I was able to come just "In The Nick of Time!" Only a few children were healthy enough to make it to the playroom, but those who did, clearly had a great time. Hopefully, I'll be able to work with Heather on Earth again in the future.

Inspirational Quote of The Day: "If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but hope?" ~Lance Armstrong

1 comment:

Anne Deysher said...

What a moving post, Nicholas. I hadn't seen the Sunday Morning piece, but watched the uTube clip with tears rolling down my face. Kudos to Heather on Earth. I hope you get to do more work with hospitalized children. You have a lot to offer!