Greetings From Harmonikids!

Every year at this time I take time to reflect upon and share Harmonikids annual accomplishments in the past year. Even in light of considerable achievements in past years, 2015 was particularly productive. Harmonikids sessions and humanitarian outreach effectively aided and delighted youth with widely diverse special challenges all over the country - including those who are hospitalized, in Big Brother Big Sister programs, African refugees, economically challenged, developmentally disabled, in substance abuse rehabilitation, at risk, and in correctional facilities

On December 16, 2015 I gave a Hohner-sponsored Holiday Harmonikids session to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, bringing healing joy to over a dozen child patients, members of their families, and hospital staff. It was a fun and cheerful session starting with a concert in which I played and the children sang along.

"This morning (10/16/15) we welcomed over 400 third through fifth grade students for our school performance program. With Gary Allegretto on harmonica (I think he played about 20 different ones throughout the morning!)… the students got to experience American music and hear more about the history of its origins."

On October 2, 2015 I brought my Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to 20 participants at the DeNier Youth Services Center; a correctional facility in Durango, Colorado. It was my fifth visit to this full-lockdown facility providing a nurturing environment designed to rehabilitate troubled youth detained by court order. It has become among my favorite facilities to provide Harmonikids services. Sadly, most of these teens are there ultimately as a result of abandonment, neglect, abuse, or violent childhood environments.

On September 26th and 27th Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was held on the beautiful rolling hills of a 230-acre farm just 20 minutes south of Nashville in Franklin, TN. The festival featured a diverse and renowned lineup of rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, gospel, roots and blues with headline artists such as Willie Nelson, Wilco, Cheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Dr. John and more. There were six stages including one in a very special family-friendly children's area; Hohner’s Lil' Pilgrim Family Stage.