Resounding Joy party fetes volunteers
September 18, 2008
Amy Andrews
Jim and Scott Mainquist
Alex Holland
Mel Kieschnick and Ed Denker
Barbara Reuer
Ann Hein
Rick Hein
Terry Bluemer
Fred Lubs
Brian and Stacey Reisert
Dawn Formo
Amy Andrews, Veronica May, and Rachel Gant
Jane Graham
Diane Beckman and Edie Ham
Resounding Joy Inc., a nonprofit organization that uses music to improve the lives of needy people, hosted a party Aug. 9 in Rancho Santa Fe to thank many of the volunteers who make it all possible.
About 50 people attended the get-together at the home of Rick Hein, who is vice president of the board of directors, and his wife, Ann Hein, who leads a small outreach choral group, The Resounding Joy Minstrels.
Other board members at the party included Terry Bluemer of Carmel Valley, Jane Kieschnick of Carlsbad, and Paul Hacker and Ron Ham of Encinitas. Among the staff members there were Tiffany Wyndham, Director of Development and Communications, and Noelle Pederson, Director of Education and Training.
The organization honored not only those who donated their time at special events over the past year but also volunteers, called Joy Givers, who brought music to the underserved in San Diego County. Resounding Joy uses music to improve the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of people in need. It trains a network of volunteers to utilize singing, drums, other instruments and music therapy techniques to help members of community and faith-based organizations as well as individuals.
Joy Givers have seen more than 8,500 people and served more than 10,000 hours since Resounding Joy was formed four years ago, and the nonprofit is quickly expanding its outreach efforts in the county.
"Resounding Joy is volunteer driven. We couldn't do this work without our volunteers,” said music therapist Barbara Reuer, who is executive director of the organization and heads her own music therapy business, MusicWorx of California, both based in Carmel Valley.
“We outreach to the most vulnerable groups, including at-risk children and youth, the frail elderly, homeless individuals and people with disabilities,” Reuer said. “Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our compassion with effective programs and services through the gift of music.”
For more information about Resounding Joy, or to volunteer, phone Dr. Reuer at (866) 800-0197 or e-mail her at info@resoundingjoyinc.org