A big “Thank You” to Ron for our Music with Daddie class this morning! The moms went to Starbucks for coffee while the dads had a special bonding time with their little ones and gave their wives a break! Keep your eyes open for another playgroup opportunity like this one in the fall!!
This past Saturday June 7th area moms and their families from Music with Mommie classes in Spring Hill joined forces with non-profit organization Advocate for the Creative Child in a yard sale benefit on behalf of Annabelle Obersteadt. Annabelle, now four years old, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage 3 cancer at the tender age of two.
As part of Music with Mommie classes held at Stegmann’s School of Performing Arts, Annabelle has won the hearts of her young classmates (ages 5 months to 5 years) and their mommies. When some of the moms in class learned of the mounting medical bills and ongoing need for Annabelle’s treatments, they knew they had to do something. Well, they did it! This past Saturday, their yard sale benefit raised over $1800 to help Annabelle and her family!
“We were all very pleased with the outcome of the benefit sale,” said Stacy Jagger, creator/owner of Music with Mommie and director of classes in Spring Hill and Franklin. “Many families donated items to be sold and some also gave monetary donations directly for the cause.” Domino’s Pizza supplied free pizza coupons and brought lunch to the yard sale workers. Sopranoz of Spring Hill also supported the benefit by donating a gift card that was given away by Annabelle drawing a name from those who attended the sale.
“It is a great privilege to have Annabelle as one of my students and to have had this opportunity to work alongside the other moms on behalf of little Annabelle and her family,” says Jagger. With a life-long love of music, Stacy was born and raised in Nashville, educated in music at both UT Knoxville and Belmont University, and embodies all the qualities that have earned Tennessee the title “Volunteer State”. Stacy is the volunteer director of Advocate for the Creative Child, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing the high-energy, interactive early-childhood music curriculum of Music with Mommie to children of families who could otherwise not afford it.
“For me, Advocate for the Creative Child is a dream-come-true,” says Jagger. “It’s all about bringing the benefits and rewards of early-childhood music education to those who, for whatever reason, cannot afford it.” Advocate for the Creative Child is currently seeking instructors in Nashville to bring the Music with Mommie curriculum and classes to underprivileged neighborhoods and women’s shelters in the inner city.
“The doors keep opening, and we keep walking through them,” muses the young director. “Advocate for the Creative Child is bringing moms and children together through music while building strong community, and most of all we make it fun!”
According to internet sources, research has proven that music instruction at an early age enhances spatial reasoning skills, which are critical for higher brain function and success in math and science. Early musical achievement promotes language development, motor skills, coordination, social behavior and interactions, and self-expression. In addition, music students demonstrate an increased ability to learn and retain new information quicker and easier.
Donations to Advocate for the Creative Child are tax-deductible. Throughout the month of June any donations made to the organization will benefit young Annabelle in her fight with cancer. Checks can be made payable to Advocate for the Creative Child, with “Fund 680” in the memo line. Please mail checks to:
Advocate for the Creative Child
7003 Chadwick Dr., Suite 354
Brentwood TN 37027
A donation receipt will be mailed to the name and address listed on the check.
For more about Annabelle, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/annabelleobersteadt
For more information about Music with Mommie and future updates on Advocate for the Creative Child, visit www.musicwithmommie.com