23 May, 2016

On March 20, 2016 I provided a Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to youth at "Kids Kottage", Washoe County Child Advocacy Center in Reno, NV. Kids Kottage is an emergency shelter for children who have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. The intention of the facility is to provide kids with a positive home environment where they can play, learn and have a sense of safety and normality. Harmonikids provides youth such as these a healthy and positive form of creative expression and emotional release in this crucial time in their lives.

Through my nurturing and interactive method the kids have fun as they quickly and effectively learn to play music on real musical instruments which helps to replenish self-esteem, confidence, hope, and joy into their lives.

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

Gary,

I want to thank you for coming to visit us at the Kids Kottage and teaching our residents how to play the harmonica. A few were nervous or resistant in wanting to learn at first, but once you started playing they were all on board. They played for the rest of the day and asked for more. Everyone truly enjoyed themselves (staff included)!

Thank you so very much!

Erin A. Bell

Kids Kottage, Program Supervisor 

Gary,

I wanted to thank you so much for coming to the Kids Kottage. The kids have all been talking about taking your class and they absolutely loved it! The staff all had great things to say as well. I also wanted to see if we might be able to have you visit again in the future? Thank you again for coming to visit us!

Andrea Davis

Kids Kottage, Shelter Director