Helen McAlinden, Director of Homes with Hope, invited me to a Tuesday afternoon sing-along at Gillespie.
As we walked into the brick home, Helen noticed a client on the patio. “You’re not singing today?” She asked. “I did!” He replied, “I have to make a phone call.”
Helen turned to me, “He loves to sing.”
Inside the residence, Antonia Nedder played an electric keyboard, a manila folder thick with sheet music beside her. Four people sat in nearby armchairs, singing “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” by the Beatles.
When the crew crooned the final “hand,” Helen collected the lyric sheets while Antonia asked for requests.
A classically trained pianist and a lawyer by trade, Antonia changed careers to music full-time twelve years ago. She’s sung with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the chorus for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is a choral director and more.
“Frank Sinatra?” Someone asked. Helen rifled through the folder, found the lyrics sheets, and passed out Frank’s indelible tune, “Summer Wind.” We all sang a bit louder, a few more people came in and picked up a lyric sheet.
Antonia hosted sing-alongs for St. Francis in Massachusetts before moving to Westport. Her hour at Gillespie is a high point for many of their clients, including the man outside who returned in time to belt out “New York, New York” in baritone.
There are many “micro-philanthropies” (Yes, I made up the term) all around us. Unique and personal gestures that people do to help others. These micro-philanthropies are done independent of a larger charitable organization, just a person doing a kindness for another.
A hair salon that has asked to remain anonymous throws open their doors to residents of shelters and missions in Westport, Greenwich, and Bridgeport.
The staff volunteers their time to cut, color, and style hair. “God gives us all a gift and we can use it to help people,” explains the owner. “If I could take away what they’re going through for an hour or two, I feel blessed.”
It’s hard to overstate the power of both human interaction and beauty boost, which has brought more than one client to tears. Though the salon doesn’t want the publicity, I’ve asked to include their story, as it may inspire others to reach out with their own gifts.
With micro-philanthropies, actions can be smaller with great impact.
This past August, Melani Lust posted on Facebook, “Every time we go to Compo, we pick up trash on our walks there. Takes very little effort. I've been doing this with my kids since they were little and I am happy to know that they continue this even when I'm not around.”
Numerous people chimed in, many of whom do the same with their kids and grandchildren. Many others lauded her efforts and I imagine many more resident beach-goers will pitch in to keep Compo clean.
Yes, the beach is raked and cleaned at night. But trash piles up during the day and it’s raunchy. Plus, Melani is setting a good example for her kids and, hopefully, casual onlookers.
If you check out the Connecticut Humane Society in Westport, you’ll find lots of fun, small volunteer opportunities. Here’s my favorite: Cuddler.
For two hours a week you snuggle cats, bunnies, ferrets… they sometimes have rats, so cross fingers you can set boundaries. For folks over 18 who live among people with pet allergies, this is a wonderful opportunity to get your cat fix, or critter fix if that’s a thing, while making a furry creature feel loved. (CTHumane.org)
For several years our neighborhood helped clean an elderly woman’s yard. Kids pop up lemonade stands and donate proceeds to charity. The town government is offering grocery shopping services to seniors.
Don’t overthink; just do. As Aesop said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”