Needs From: MC Serves!

Piano Pals for ES Children:  Fox Chapel ES, Gaithersburg ES, Brown Station ES, Clopper Mill ES are reopening in October through Spring Break. Tanglewood HOC Apartments will continue on Saturday mornings.  Upcounty HOC at Stewartown begins on Tuesdays in October.   For training of new volunteers in order to mentor in the Fall 2025, contact: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.  Dates/location by appointment.

Mentor a child per half hour session afterschool.  Using the detailed world renowned piano curriculum, Faber Piano Adventures,  teach 2 children (each one half hour lesson) between grades K-5 at an elementary school or HOC facility.

1.5 hours of SSL Credit

Guitar Pals for ES Children:  Applications for Fall 2025 being received now.

Mentor a child at these facilities:

Brown Station ES on Mondays, Stewartown HOC on Tuesdays 4 to 5:30, Fox Chapel on Thursdays after school, Gaithersburg ES on Thursdays after school, Clopper Mill ES on Fridays after school, Tanglewood HOC on Saturdays from 11 to 12:30.

Using the detailed Faber Piano Adventures,   teach 2 children (each one half hour lesson) between grades K-5 at Tanglewood Housing for Title 1 families.

1.5 hours of SSL Credit

Adult supervision provided by Tacy Foundation Adult Volunteers, vetted by MCPS Adult Volunteer Requirements.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

(1) Music Videos for hospitals. The Tacy Foundation receives video recordings from volunteers for hospitals and seniors in the metropolitan area of Washington/Baltimore/Wilmington/Philadelphia/New York City, the Northeast corridor. The YouTube playlists are also sent nationwide to Fisher Houses and hospitals wherever requested.  Children are invited to participate in the recording and distribution for these musical gifts. The Foundation is dedicated to sending sounds of hope and healing through music.  1 hour of SSL Credit per video.  Songs must be at least late elementary/intermediate level and range from 3 to 10 minutes in length.). Public Domain status or written permission from the publisher are required.

This is an ongoing project.  Contact The Tacy Foundation for opportunities. Videos are uploaded on the Foundation's YouTube Playlist. Each year over 300 videos are placed on a new playlist for the purpose of sending hope and healing into the communities. Thanks to technology, the music videos are placed on QR code Cards with contact information for the recipients.  This makes for easy shipping along with handmade greeting cards from volunteers. 

(2) The Tacy Foundation sponsors live music performances at NIH Clinical Research Center's Hall of Hope & Seniors Centers, and acts as liaison for American Red Cross Teen Pianists at Walter Reed-Bethesda Lobby of the America Building.   (2.0 hours of ssl credit per concert.)

(3) The Tacy Foundation sponsors Piano Pals, an internship program for teen pianists to mentor elementary school children who cannot afford music lessons at some elementary public schools' aftercare programs in Montgomery County, MD.  (1.5 hours  of SSL credit per session)

(4) The Reading Express brings a story to life through children's books. Volunteers are needed to supervise craft tables at the library and help with cleanup following the event. Playing an instrument is required for recording music and participation in live concerts. Playing an instrument, organizing lesson material and communicating with children, a congenial outgoing personality, compassion for younger children, and dependability are required for the internship/mentor in the Piano Pals Program.  (1 hour of SSL Credit per book)

Contact us to find a good fit for you.  

www.tacyfoundation.org.  "Become a Volunteer" page.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Please find below a list of virtual/remote opportunities as well as in-person activities for volunteers to continue reminding Seniors that we are grateful for them.   If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the following steps:

Here is a list of many different virtual/remote and in-person opportunities that you may complete this fall.  All are welcome and encouraged to make a difference! Virtual opportunities will continue to be offered and approved for SSL Credit. (MCPS has authorized credit under the conditions and terms that will be outlined this Fall).

1. Make a Video of your Music Performance for YouTube Playlist, songs in public domain and marked "Unlisted." (A project at home at anytime)
For clarification and submission, contact: recording.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com
1 hour of ssl per video.

2. Virtual Live Concerts.  Virtual Concerts must be pre-approved by the Executive Director.

3. Reading Express Video Library. Make a Video of your reading a children's book (public domain or original book by you, or written permission from publisher) for Reading Express®. Nancy Bo Flood (Navajo Nation author) books are available. Permission has been granted by the author.  Contact: reading.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com for details.                                                   Copy: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.                                                                                              1 hour of ssl credit per video upon uploading to the Reading Express YouTube playlist.

4. Composer's Circle (one-on-one via signup.com invitation). Ongoing. Weekly. By appointment. Mentor to be determined in 2025.
1⁄2 hour ssl credit per half hour class after the composition is included on the foundation's YouTube playlist for hospitals.

5. Piano Pals® Training for Elementary School Children in Title 1
Schools: For Grades 3-5. This online class serves as preparation for mentoring when schools open and children will attend the afterschool program. Should schools be closed to afterschool activities, these classes will resume until schools open.
1 hour of ssl credit per class attended.

6. Piano Pals for ES Children:  Brown Station ES (weekday after school), Clopper Mill ES (weekday after school), Fox Chapel ES (weekday after school). Gaithersburg ES (weekday after school), and Tanglewood Apartments HOC in Silver Spring (Saturday Mornings) will continue Piano Pals afterschool programs in 2025.    Contact: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com for information and an application.

7. Guitar Pals for ES Children: 2025 continuing in 2nd semester (See No. 7 for schools participating.)

8.  Piano Pals® for Seniors -  Senior facilities that are open will schedule the teen for volunteering by appointment to meet a senior at the assisted living and teach a lesson. Look for a senior facility to serve a senior with piano lessons.                   Contact: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com

1 hour ssl credit per class for mentors; 1.5 hrs for Chief Intern.

9. Guitar Pals® Training. See No. 6 in regard to offering this program at Title 1 schools. Training will be offered online if there is no opportunity to teach in Title 1 schools. Contact thetacyfoundation@gmail.com to apply for Chief Intern position to teach teens how to mentor. Teaching Curriculum provided.                                                                                                 1.5 hour ssl credit per class for mentors; 2.0 hrs for Chief Intern.  ( 2024-2025 depending on volunteer application)

10. Cards. 1 ssl hour of credit per 15 handmade cards

A. Thank You cards (handmade) for
• First Responders (anytime),
• Military Servicemembers, especially for veterans and active duty who have service.                                                                            
• Seniors who have worked their lives to improve the community.

Please do not include any personal information (full name, home address, phone number, email address, etc.)

B. Get Well Cards for hospital patients (hand made).                                                              • Jokes to cheer patients.
• Encouragement Cards

Please do not include any personal information (full name, home address, phone number, email address, etc.)

C. Seasonal Cards for Autumn, for holidays, for special occasions 1 hour ssl credit per 15 cards

Write for drop off locations to cards.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.   Volunteers Mario Lara, Riona Sheikh, Matthew Kim, or Ms. Willis-Lara, Adult Supervisor, will respond.

Please do not include any personal information (full name, home address, phone number, email address, etc.)

11. Write about your Tacy Foundation experience for the Inspiring Hope Newsletter.  Share with the many readers who follow your work on the monthly issue.
Contact: volunteer.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.
COPY always: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com for approval of your topic.                                        1.5 hours of ssl credit per story

12. NEW: Life Stories:  Interview Seniors to learn their impactful life stories.  Pass down their treasure of personal struggle and victory as well as those issues of history that are not in the history lessons at school.   See and write about how their lives impact us now.  Find out how they are impacted by the youth and music/story of Tacy Foundation volunteers. Write an article or story for the Newsletter about your discoveries. 300 words minimum.  Look for suggestions from Tacy Foundation Newsletter Chief Editor in the September Newsletter.
Contact: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com and volunteer.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com and programs.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.                                                                          1.5 hours of ssl credit per story.

13. Team Leader and internships for creating 45 minute playlist of Tacy Foundation Virtual Live Music Playlist Master List: This leadership position requires ability to create a beautiful program of music from the over 800 songs on the current Private Playlists on YouTube. For an application position,                                                                                                            contact: thetacyfoundation@gmail.com authorization of your project.

14. All Live Music Events will be sent out via Signup.com. The date and time and location of the event will be given on the invitation. Each child/teen who signs up will be notified 2 days prior to the event. The Chief Intern of each event will take the parents’ emails, time of arrival and departure to send to ssl.tacy@gmail.com.

If you know of others who would like to inspire hope, please send them to the website page: "How to Become a Volunteer."  We have so much work to do to rebuild the hopes of so many who have challenges in the Post-COVID world. Reach out to them with your hearts and minds through music, art, and story and deeds of great care.

Student participation in the above service projects is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. The above service activities are designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status. 

Piano Pals® for Seniors-   Private mentoring for a senior living in an assisted living facility.  

The High School student schedules a piano lesson on a weekly or bi-weekly basis with an interested senior.  The lessons begin anywhere from the beginner level to the level where the senior is.  If a beginner, the teen uses Piano for Adult Beginners provided by Faber Piano Adventures.   If the senior student has played, the teen brings materials that are meaningful to the senior.  

Piano lessons are great platforms for seniors to connect with a youth.  Present and past are conjoined through the music that is studied and the conversation that inevitably unfolds.  A relationship is forged through the attention of a teen who is knowledgeable in music and eager to learn from the senior about history, family, culture, and the aging brain. The senior has time.  

These sessions will be under supervision of an adult volunteer on the premises.  Scheduled by the Activity Director of the assisted living facility.

1 hour ssl credit for mentors per class.   SSL Hours are logged and approved by the Assisted Living staff at the facility if you are under the staff's supervision there.  If Tacy Foundation staff are present at all times and only when TF staff are onsite, you may log your hours with the foundation.                

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Please find below a list of virtual/remote opportunities for volunteers to continue reminding Seniors that we are grateful for them. Hospital patients and staff will be heartened by your music and stories.  These activities are designed to be completed in the safety of your home during Quarantine for the time being (ending when MCPS and all MD/VA schools return to normal status). If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the following steps:

Here is a list of many different virtual/remote opportunities that you can complete until schools return to normal status:

1.  Find music that has great meaning for the seniors (songs from 1940’s to 1990’s).  Use the time you would ordinarily spend practicing for an event to learn at least one or two songs. You will be ready to share these favorite songs when the doors open again. During this Fall season, add Fall and Winter repertoire to your list of music to bring after Quarantine. (1 SSL hour)

2.  Draw a picture depicting the Summer season for the seniors.  Include a crossword puzzle for them to keep their minds sharp. Write a rhyme and picture.  Reflect on their importance to your life by their great contributions through history (from 1940’s to the present).  Send these to the Teen Communications Intern for the Foundation. There have been many adventures from your generous, heroic efforts, and they are so beautiful to read.  Sharing your thoughts with other volunteers will embolden them to overcome their fear and hesitancy.  Sharing them with adults and seniors reminds the seniors that they are important.  It is their privilege to pass down to YOU the great work ethic, sense of purpose, and experiences in grappling with emergencies that they have learned during their lifetime.  During this silence from seeing them, we will ask the Communications Intern to receive these writings and place them on Facebook. Most seniors have access to Facebook.  They can see their young music friends’ messages of concern and of thanks for their lives.  We will also mail your messages to them either via email or USPS. (.5 SSL hour)

3.  Make and send your music video of music in public domain on YouTube performances. We will offer your music to the Activity Directors (of seniors facilities) as Virtual Live Performance.  You are allowed to speak clearly your message to seniors:  “I miss seeing you, so I would like to play this song for you now…..”. (1 SSL hour)

4. Write a thoughtful, encouraging email message to a senior.   Let the senior know how he or she has reminded you of courage and strength during hard times.

You may refer to the Beethoven story written and illustrated below by Faber Piano Adventures.  (See web site below on this email message.)

https://beethoven.pianoadventures.com/?mc_cid=fe4353e2fc&mc_eid=4e5fc455a7

Tell him or her that you are studying about another hero (besides the senior) who has helped you.  In other words, share with seniors in an email message to them to encourage them to be strong and to have hope.  

Send your letter to the Program Manager: programs.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.  She will send your letter or story to the seniors in all of the places where we play music.  They will see our video playlist too and will look forward to the time when COVID is over and we will return to them. 

1.5 SSL per email letter.  5 full paragraphs of expressive, encouraging connection between the struggles of Beethoven’s life challenges and your experience so far in the pandemic of 2020.

5.  Write (and or) illustrate a particular memorable moment when you played music at a hospital.  Perhaps someone came up to you and thanked you.  Maybe a family had just heard a very sad prognosis, or a family was happily bringing home a newborn baby, or another family was bringing home a loved one from a hospital stay.  As they always do, they stopped to hear your music.  Another time, perhaps you saw people enter the lobby through the big doors and turn toward the music and sigh a deep breath of hope and courage.  Write a descriptive piece on this.  Your writing may bring peace of mind to someone in a senior facility or a hospital who cannot express the sadness or the despair.  Stories are the best medicine for reminding us of the inestimable value of paying forward our hope for others through music. (1 SSL hour)

6. Write about your Piano Pals® or Guitar Pals® or Reading Express® experiences. Your Reflections may be about a particular life lesson you gained in this setting.  Tell about how your Title 1 student saw the world through his or her eyes.  Your writing may reflect (1) a change in your idea of community service, (2) what you discovered that you did not know before you taught (Write about this in regard to the children whom you are serving), and/or (3) the importance of music in the lives of the children you are working with.  It may include a particularly difficult challenge that you faced or are facing in working with children. The piece may be about how you discovered a side of yourself you had not known before these music classes.  Relate how you would like to take what you learned into the world to share with others and to serve again. (1 SSL hour)

7.  Assemble USBs for shipments to NYC's First Responders as well as hospital patients.  Place USB into plastic pouches with inserts as a donation (1 SSL hour per 100 USBs)

   Design CHEERFUL THANK YOU cards for hospitals, First Responders, and the military families that will receive Tacy  Foundation USBs  at Fisher Houses, and First Responders. (1 SSL hour for 15 cards)

9.  The Reading Express Virtual Library:  Make a video recording of a children's book, a fairy tale, or Your Own Storybook of holidays in your family.  Show the pictures on the camera as you read the book.  No matter how difficult life becomes and how trapped a child feels, he or she can go anywhere in the universe with a book or story.  Reading to a child can take him anywhere, bring her hope and joy in any life situation. BE SURE THE STORY IS IN PUBLIC DOMAIN or contact the publisher directly first to receive written permission to make a video of the story.  (1 hour SSL)   

11.  Virtual Live Music via YouTube Video Concerts (in Virginia & Maryland) of  Music.  Prepare songs to play live on YouTube.  Chief Interns will place on a private playlist.  45-minute programs are to be sent to Seniors Facilities that request video to be viewed at any time that is convenient for each facility.  Look for Signup.com opportunities.  Prepare any classical and or public domain songs to cheer each listener!  1.5 hour SSL Credit.

Student participation in the above service projects is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. The above service activities are designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status. 

Site supervisors supervise a regular Tacy Foundation event at a hospital, senior center, or school. This opportunity is open to responsible adults with strong organizational and communication skills. This volunteer opportunity is on-site with an average time commitment is 4 hours per week. Training is provided. Great opportunity for parents, grandparents, or other relatives of children or teens who play a musical instrument.