Larksong
Music - This is where "Flowingtree" of Illuminated Hearts
first got their start playing the harp! Located in Lincoln, NE, this
is where they ordered their first harp, and it was Malley's daughter
Maggie who first taught them how to play! Larksong Music is a
mail-order retail music and Celtic goods business that does business
throughout the world, as well as offering the services of professional
musicians in the Midwest U.S.A. region. They are able to order the
full line of Lyon & Healy harps ( www.lyonhealy.com
) from Chicago. Maggie Keelan has a
wonderful CD of harp music available through Larksong Music called
"Ascension." If you are looking for musicians in Nebraska
to play at your next event, Malley is the one to call! www.larksong.com
Madonna
Rehabilitation Hospital
- originally founded in 1958 by nuns of the Benedictine Order out of
Yankton, South Dakota, this facility in Lincoln, Nebraska is quickly becoming one of the
premier rehabilitation hospitals in the country. This hospital has a
great number of wonderful opportunities to volunteer for those interested,
including the "Angel Dog" program where volunteers visit
patients along with their certified therapy dogs! It was in this
facility that the founder of Illuminated Hearts first began to volunteer
with a harp. Originally, profits from the sales of the harp music CD "On
Earth, As It Is In Heaven"
were donated to the Angel Dog program there. Since leaving Nebraska
and moving to Michigan, the profits from this CD have gone to other worthy
organizations, such as the Red Cross.
The
Friendship Home
- another great organization, with plenty of ways that you can
volunteer! Founded in 1978, they provide shelter and support for
battered women and their children. Illuminated Hearts has been proud
to volunteer for them at various fund raising events, and to donate the
profits from these CD's to this worthy group of dedicated professionals
and volunteers:
"Forever,
I Do"
harp music for weddings and other special occasions
"Angels
We Have Heard On High"
harp music / sacred songs of Christmas
"O!
Christmas Tree!"
harp music / popular songs of Christmas
Community
Food
Banks
- helping to provide food for the hungry is certainly one way to volunteer
one's efforts to help meet a very basic need! There are Food Banks
located in many communities across the U.S.
People's
City Mission
- Provides food, shelter and clothing for homeless men, women and children
in the area of Lincoln, Nebraska. There are homeless shelters all
across the nation and world which can always use the helping hands of
volunteers! I have volunteered with them both by playing the
harp at some of their fund raising events, as well as donating money to
them made while playing the harp.
American
Red Cross
Most people are already familiar with the
Red Cross through their assistance and aid at so many natural disasters in
the U.S. and throughout the world. There are local chapters in
cities all over the country. They are always
searching for more volunteers! Personally, I have volunteered for
them in many ways. For instance, by playing the harp at Red Cross
events. Or in 2004, I was able to make a large donation to the Red
Cross for the tsunami in Indonesia that killed over 200,000 people in that
region - money that came from the sale of harp CD's, and money made from
playing at weddings and other events. I have also volunteered with
them in more hands-on ways, by using two weeks of vacation to volunteer
with the Red Cross in Louisiana after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in
2005.
Community
Blood Banks - a very easy, and valuable way to volunteer is to
donate your blood to help save a life! Most communities around the
country have local Red Cross chapters or Blood banks where you can donate
your blood.
If
you are looking for ways to volunteer your time and talents, the sky is
the limit! Please consider the worthy organizations above, or use
your local newspaper, TV or computer search engines to find an opportunity
to volunteer wherever you live!
(this
page last updated 6/11/07)