10 November, 2018

A message from Gary Allegretto, Founding Director of Harmonikids.

On November 9, 2018, I provided a HOHNER-sponsored Harmonikids session at UNMH Children’s Hospital that bought healing joy to child patients and members of their families. It was a fun and wonderful event starting with an engaging harmonica concert and followed by quick-learn lessons. The kids and staff were amazed at the musical presentation, delighted to receive harmonicas, and overjoyed at how fast they learned to accurately play four songs. The session is best described by heartwarming note of thanks received from the facility staff below.

~ Gary Allegretto, Founding Director of Harmonikids, www.harmonikids.org

Hello Gary,

UNMH Children's Hospital would like to thank you for all that you did for our patients. Many were very excited to learn and you really went above and beyond what any staff and patients were expecting. You were kind, patient, and truly treated the kids as kids, not as sick kids and as staff members we really appreciate that. Many of the kids who came today have been feeling down and have not come to our playroom their whole admission. One mom said, " What an amazing way to reach these kids and adults! He got my boy excited and out of the room! Thank you." I can tell the difference just from this morning to the end of the lesson how their spirits have lifted. Confidence shot through the roof and it was a joy to see all the kids enjoy something that they will most likely will never be able to experience again in a life time. Thank you also for including staff, it was a great treat to end our week and get us through this Friday. This truly was a once and a life time experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Talking about your success and where you came from really motivated these kids! It showed them that if they work hard and try they can do anything they want, even if it seems like a long shot. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, not many volunteers come to do things for the older patients and it really made a difference, they will now go into treatments with confidence and a lifted spirits.

Thank you,
UNMH Children's Hospital Staff