September 26, 2023
On Thursday, September 15th, Kinsmen Lodge residents and staff danced and sang with Surrey City Councilor Linda Annis, along to the Rhythm Street Band.
Rick’s Heart Foundation staff worked with the incredible staff and hosts at Kinsmen Lodge to bring an afternoon filled with music, cake, vintage vehicles, and a visit from Surrey City Councilor’s Linda Annis and Mike Bose
Kinsmen Lodge was the first recipient of Rick’s Heart Foundation’s Heart for Music Program Donation back in November of 2018. The Heart for Music Program is an objective to bring seniors in not-for-profit care homes throughout BC and Western Canada personal music equipment and personalized playlists.
From the summer of 2020-2023, Rick’s Heart Foundation’s Heart for Music Program grew its impact from 6 Care Homes to 100 in BC!
Jeff Johnston, lead singer with The Rhythm Street Band, led the crowd in an hour of upbeat tunes. The room was alive with movement as residents and staff tapped their feet and danced to Rock and Roll!
A giant, custom cake in the shape of 100, made by Maggie at New Amsterdam Bakery, was wheeled around and then sliced up for all to enjoy.
Rick’s Heart Foundation’s Vintage Pink Fire Truck made an appearance and hosted some rides, and Iconic Carz drove up their vintage Volkswagen Bug to be enjoyed by everyone at the event.
What Is Heart for Music?
Seniors in care homes can be isolated and lonely, with the state of the economy increasing staff shortages and reducing resident’s access to meaningful connections. Personalized music interventions have shown to be especially beneficial for individuals with Dementia because of the ability to access their long-term memory.
Heart for Music is currently in over 170 locations across Western Canada!
“Every month we have more and more residents using your program. They love using it to sing songs in groups and practice when they at home. Thank you so much again for the donation!”
– Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum Assisted Living, Duncan
We work with recreational staff and music therapists to create playlists with a resident’s favourite music, and we donate music devices, headphones, and speakers for their enjoyment. With music changing from CD’s and Tapes to online streaming, there is a need for an updated music database and music-playing equipment. This donation is designed to increase the reach of recreational staff, and it allows them to provide personal, impactful music experiences for a higher number of senior residents at a time.
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