The “Pay it Forward†Volunteer Band, a group that performs exclusively for nursing homes all over Los Angeles County, brings their nostalgic Christmas show to three Santa Monica nursing homes tomorrow, December 10, part of an effort that will see them perform for 50 skilled nursing facilities between December 3 and Christmas Day. The facilities enjoying the holiday gift are Good Shepherd Health Care, Seaport 17th Care, and Arbor View Rehabilitation and Wellness.
The unique band, ages 9 to 90, has more than 120 volunteer musicians and combines full time professional musicians, talented amateurs and students. The group will field as many as three 6 to 12 piece jazz ensembles a day in order to meet their quota. Their second band tomorrow will be deployed in the San Fernando Valley.
This is the band’s third year of providing Christmas joy to the people they feel need that joy the most. Last year they performed their nostalgic concert of classic Christmas pop tunes made famous by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland and others for 55 skilled nursing facilities.
The group says many of their favorite skilled nursing facilities are in Santa Monica, although it is impossible to get there as often as they like since there are about 350 skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles County. The band has performed in more than 120 of those facilities to date. In addition to bringing joy to the patients the group’s mission is to remind people that everyone should be doing more and better for our elders, especially those in nursing homes.
Contact: Gary Gamponia, Director
the “Pay it Forward†Volunteer Band
payitforwardband@att.net
(213) 388-8500
None of the facilities listed has authorized media access. However, if you are interested in visiting the facility something might be arranged.
Here are our Bonafides:
Website information (currently undergoing changes): www.thepayitforwardband.com
Band video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkmLpMdgakU
Local media/community recognition:
TV: KNBC: November 12, 2011: with Colleen Williams: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pay_It_Forward_Band_Los_Angeles-127643588.html
TV: KNBC: November 10, 2011: with Mekahlo Medina, NBC segment: “The Local†: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/as-seen-on/The_LOCAL__Pay_It_Forward_Band_Los_Angeles-127476643.html
TV: Channels 4,5,7,9,11,and 13: Father’s Day; June 19, 2011
TV: KABC; Memorial Day, May 30, 2011, News story
TV: KABC: Mother’s Day, May 8, 2011, News story
TV: KTLA Mother’s Day 2011: http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mothers-day,0,5084346.story
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7431648 (page no longer found)
TV: KABC: Christmas at the VA “Home for Heroes†December 23, 2010
TV: Telemundo, KWHY. Christmas season story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGHh-nateYo
Print: the Daily News: December 25
Blog: Sept. 20: http://www.theeastsiderla.com/tag/boyle-heights/
Print: story in the Los Feliz Ledger April 29, 2010
Blog: http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2010/04/easter-weekend-finds-silver-lake-musicans-co-op-hopping-around-town/
Blog: http://lacityorgcd13.blogspot.com/2010/04/volunteers-needed-for-silver-lake.html
Nursing Home references:
Woodland Care Center, Reseda, 818-881-4540 contact: Activity Director Jean-Marie Mayer
Highland Park Skilled Nursing Care, L.A. 90042(323) 254-6125 contact: Activity Director Jurmy Vicente
Lotus Care Center, L.A. 90043
(323) 292-0746 contact: Administrator Fred Johnson
