On behalf of Westminster’s Assisted Living residents I would like to express our appreciation for the Chord of Life volunteers. These young people have enhanced our lives with their talent, creativity and generosity. They created and gave us craft kits that everyone had so much fun making. They also sent us videos of their music performances. They are so talented!!!!
We are grateful for the Chord of Life volunteers.
-Leah Tunnell,
Westminster Assisted Living
About
Had it not been for Austin Nguyen being added to a last-minute music field trip to a senior home, Chord For Life, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, would have never been founded. Majority of those attending the field trip were band kids, chartering along their personal instruments to perform their planned ensembles for the seniors. Austin, who had no instrument, was planning on talking to the seniors instead of performing; however, when his friend spotted an unused piano, she dared him to play a few songs for fun. Accepting the dare, it wasn’t until after he finished his first song that he realized he had garnered an audience from the seniors. Seeing their joy, he quickly rounded up three other friends--all of whom would later become officers in Chord For Life--to sing along with him. On their way back to school, hearts still warmed by the senior’s delight, they had the idea of performing together for other senior homes. This unofficial group became official with the addition of two other members, and this nameless quintet began to practice together in May 2019. They would go on to perform at more than 7 different senior homes, strengthening their synergy and their passion for bringing happiness into senior’s lives.
When COVID-19 hit and the members could no longer meet up to perform and practice, they were determined to find ways to still stick together when they couldn’t physically be together. Seeing that the senior community was being heavily impacted by the virus, they wanted to help in any way possible. They also wanted to branch out from just music and focus on activities that would bring as much joy as possible. With lots of brainstorming, Chord For Life was born.
Officially established as a nonprofit organization on January 21st, 2021, Chord For Life materialized with the additional inclusion of 2 more members to be appointed as officers. Now with 6 officers, what originally started off as a one-time coincidence had flowered into a full-fledged organization with a mission to light up senior’s lives as much as they can. Chord For Life has hosted several virtual musical performances throughout the pandemic, as well as a pen pals and a craft club to give additional activities to the seniors.
Chord for Life continues to work hard to brighten senior’s days, and hopes to garner additional volunteers and expand its outreach to additional senior homes. Without the amazing volunteers and creative ideas, Chord For Life would not be what it is today.
I “met” Austin last year when he thoughtfully started sending me curated piano performances for my residents at Belmont Village Westlake Hills. They loved them and he quickly became one of our favorite volunteers. His consideration didn’t stop there! With the development of Chord for Life we have been the lucky recipients of many beautiful craft projects that are individually packaged with instructions. Something I’ve yet to see from any major craft store, activity supplement website, or like organization. The accompanying heartfelt notes to the residents display the sincerity and care the students of Chord for Life have for seniors. We are lucky to have the group care about us.
-Ms. Bridget Bechtel,
Belmont Village at Westlake
About.
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