Earlier this week, at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we met a little boy - 8 or 9 years old - in the day surgery waiting area. He had blue hospital pajamas and yellow paper booties on and was waiting for his surgery. We could tell immediately that he loved music. He stared at us as we began to play and sing, and all of a sudden he grabbed a couple of plastic blocks and started clicking them in rhythm on the metal arm of his chair. It didn't take us but a minute to see that this kid had natural rhythm - and he was good! The whole waiting area lit up with the sound of our guitars, voices, and this young man's percussion. He played with us for the entire 40+ minute session and performed excellent rhythm on quite a variety of toys in the room, as well as with the rhythm shakers we brought. Music transforms lives and brings people together. Thanks to this wonderful little boy 'with the beat' who reminded us again how powerful it is!

Our son, Zachary, was born August 6th and as a shock to all of us he was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. While at Cook we faced what seemed to be the worst days of our lives. We were told Zachary was very ill and would probably never live a normal life. Between prayers and our support group of family and friends, it was Hugworks who comforted our family through songs of healing. As Zachary underwent spinal surgery, the music played by the Hugworks team and gifts of Hugworks CDs not only soothed our newborn, but comforted Zachary's 4 year-old big brother who did not understand the events we were experiencing. With the stress of family and friends all trying to help us through the day, it was a little song from a guitar that broke all of the barriers to help us relax. What a joy it was to attend the fundraiser concert with Zachary in hand - our first night home from Cook Children's. I will never forget that memory - Zachary will not remember it but will always know the part Hugworks has had in his healing.

Today, Zachary is a happy, healthy 2 ½ year old, and we still listen to Hugworks' music in the car and around the house. Their upbeat songs encourage the healthy expression of feelings and boost self-esteem. Each of the boys have their favorites, Tyler who is now 6 years old loves the "fishy song", and Zach's favorite is "Truck, Truck, if I had a Truck". Whenever we get the chance, we try to share the Hugworks story. Many people have heard the helping sounds from this unique mission, but many more could be helped. You do not have to have a sick child to appreciate the music of Hugworks. In our world today - every child deserves the joy brought by the music of Hugworks. I hope you will join me in supporting this great organization and spread the word to all your friends and family about the joy Hugworks brings to a child.

Anne Griffeth

As you know, Elizabeth "Bizzy" Tober (MT-BC) regularly provides music therapy for children in DFW area hospitals as a member of our Hugworks direct service team. In addition, we will soon have her and other area Music Therapists providing services for local children with special needs in our newly renovated multi-purpose music therapy studio room. Debbie Dacus (MT-BC & Hugworks Advisory Board member) and Kathleen Coleman (MT-BC) will be leading a weekly group therapy experience for children in the room this summer. We are very grateful to the Hoblitzelle Foundation for a grant which covered most of the renovation costs for this wonderful addition to our facility.

While renovation of the room itself is complete, we are in need of funds to construct a restroom to be located just across the hall. Our building is an old doctor's office and has outdated "phone booth" size restrooms. We will be modifying a storage room to make it a larger restroom, in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. The cost for this work will be approximately $4,000.

Thank you for your past support of our Hugworks mission to positively impact the lives of many, many hospitalized and other special needs children - week by week, year by year. We would appreciate your consideration again at this time as we work to raise funds for our restroom project. Thanks for being a vital part of the Hugworks team!

In Celebration,

Jim Newton
President & Founder

YOUR GIFT WILL HELP US CONTINUE OUR OUTREACH WITH HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. A ONE TIME GIFT, OR MONTHLY - QUARTERLY - YEARLY PLEDGE OF $25, $50, $100 OR MORE - WILL PROVIDE OUR HEALING SONGS FOR MANY, MANY KIDS! (Click on Opportunities-Donor for pledge form)

DONATE FREQUENT FLYER AIR MILES TO HUGWORKS TO OFFSET THE COST OF AIRFARE THAT TAKES US TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS AROUND THE COUNTRY (Click on Opportunities Quick Link for details)

In addition, Paul G. Hill and Jim Newton, along with Elizabeth "Bizzy" Tober - Music Therapist, are continuing their regular schedule at Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth and Children's Medical Center-Dallas, Medical City Children's, Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, and Our Children's House @ Baylor Rehab - Dallas.