Suburban Singer brings joy to isolated seniors with her free outdoor serenades during Covid 19
Park Ridge singer performs free shows outside nursing homes during COVID-19
Submitted by Colette Hawley
A passion for singing led Colette Hawley ( Maine South Class of 1980)
to a career in New York and then to California, where, somewhat by accident, she found herself singing at nursing homes. The experience was so profoundly transformative that it quickly became the focus of Ms. Hawley's life's work. After 6 years in California, Colette returned to Park Ridge where she continued her path, entertaining at Chicagoland nursing homes, assisted livings, Senior Centers and Memory Cares. Locally, Colette (affectionately known as "Coco") proudly performed for our seniors at The Summit of Uptown, Avantara and The Park Ridge Senior Center.
Noted Hawley " I have always been aware that our culture often disregards the elderly.
I began to see my singing not only as a way to bring joy, but as a way for me to bring attention to this community by sharing my incredible experiences with friends, family and on social media." She added, "The response from seniors has been incredibly moving; they sing, they smile, they laugh, they clap and tap their feet. I see them go from silent in their wheelchairs to wide awake and fully engaged. It's really magical."
All was going well until the coronavirus outbreak. Nursing homes quickly became hotspots
and were consequently put on very restrictive lock downs.
Determined to keep getting music to her beloved elders, Hawley purchased a wireless speaker and mic so that she could safely perform free "Outside the Nursing Home" concerts.
She has sung to seniors from their courtyards, parking lots and sidewalks.
On Easter, Colette donned a homemade Easter Bunny costume, made her way to Bella Terra in Wheeling, and performed. That evening, Hawley was featured on the local ABC & Fox newscasts.
"Doing these outdoor shows has been so exciting. Seeing the residents listening and waving from their windows triggered a great thought: What if I could travel the entire state of Illinois, county by county, this summer? Do a road trip of free outside concerts at every nursing home possible? Bring both music and attention to our seniors?"
Hawley added, "So that's what I am doing. I'm starting to put it all together now. It's a bit overwhelming, but where there's a will, there's a way."
It seems Colette Hawley has more than her share of will.
TO HELP COLETTE FUND HER ILLINOIS SONGS FOR SENIORS ROAD TRIP GO TO:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/1z6ouhxd2o
TO SEE COLETTE'S PERFORMANCES GO TO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfKRgJjkK10
For information, contact Colette Hawley, Coco's Songs for Seniors, at colettehawley@gmail.com or
917-509-7370,
Instagram: @colettehawleyproductions
Twitter: @Hawleycolette