Snowden Cottage Youth Detention Center

Sometimes Harmonikids programs focus on youth who have been abandoned, neglected, abused, and/or are at gang risk – including some who have gotten in trouble and have been admitted to correctional facilities.

Sometimes my Harmonikids sessions have particularly deep-rooted personal meaning. Such is the case for my return visit to Sunflower Landing, in Dublin, MS. So much of the music and musicians that made the Blues the most popular and beloved music ever to be played on the harmonica came from rural towns in the Mississippi Delta. Howling Wolf, James Cotton, and Sonny Boy Williamson are just a few of the great Blues harpmen to come directly from the area.

On Sunday March 10th, 2013 Gary Allegretto was asked to provide a Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to the children at Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Kamloops in B.C., Canada. As described in their website: "BBBS is Canada’s leading child and youth mentoring charity, facilitating life-changing relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to reach their potential, both as individuals and citizens. It is the mission of BBBS of Kamloops to foster positive self-esteem and competency in children and youth by providing and promoting friendship, guidance and support."

On August 15-17, 2013 Hohner sponsored a very special series of opportunities for Harmonikids to appear at the 50th anniversary convention of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH). First, the Hohner Harmonikids model harmonica was featured at the Hohner booth, and was the harmonica that dozens of kids received and played at the SPAH children's program.