Businesses sign on to BG Singers project: 'UKE' Can Do It!

With the spirit of the holiday season upon us, businesses are joining the BG Singers to begin a public art display of painted ukuleles.

In addition, their donation will send a specially made ukulele to medically fragile children in local hospitals, including Comer, Lurie and Advocate Medical sites, plus Dynamic Links, a therapeutic children's facility.

The project is part of the Ukulele Kid's Club, a group that was formed in 2015 and has donated more than 13,000 ukuleles in 312 music therapy programs all over the world.

Peter Alexander of NBC news did a story on the formation of the group and plans to do a follow-up at the completion of their effort this summer.

The BG Singers were assisted by both the village of Buffalo Grove's Community Foundation and the Buffalo Grove Park District's Friends of the Park with donations to get the program up and running. A huge assist was from national music store Guitar Center, which donated 20 ukuleles to the efforts and has been instrumental in helping the UKC prior to this project as well.

For $100, businesses can receive their own ukulele to decorate and display or have one of the organization's talented artists volunteer to paint it. Plus, this donation will also give the medical grade ukulele to the music therapists at the hospitals.

The project will conclude with a "ukulele hunt" in the summer to find the painted ukuleles, and the winner will receive their own ukulele at the BG Singers' annual concert in September.

In addition, they are also offering individuals the opportunity to buy one/gift one for personal use and give one to the hospitals. And, of course, any monetary donations you would like to send will be earmarked to send more ukuleles to hospital sites.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to visit the Ukulele Kids Club site at theukc.org to see the amazing activities they have for children.

Contact Linda Rosen at LRosen@bgparks.org, or Cathy Novak at (847) 769-8533 or cathysings 2211@aol.com to participate in "UKE" Can Do It!"