Places You Can Give Back to This Season Written by Laticia Headings
I
n the spring, Middleburg Life began to spotlight a local non-profit every month. We’re happy to bring attention to these organizations doing great work in their area of expertise. Each of these non-profits takes donations and has volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved, so please consider them this holiday season. To recap, here are the non-profits we highlighted and where they are now. MAY — A Place to Be When A Place to Be (APTB) was co-founded by Tom Sweitzer and Kim Tapper in September of 2010, it was meant to help an underserved population — people with disabilities, medical and mental challenges, and at-risk youth — using scientifically-based music therapy practices, as well as therapeu-
tic and expressive arts. On the heels of their 10-year anniversary, APTB is helping people navigate and overcome life’s challenges through music. “We use music therapy as an intervention tool to help people who have any kind of challenge in life to find some sort of healing,” Sweitzer says. During the pandemic, APTB pivoted from in-person to virtual sessions, and is currently serving 125 families. They have a new YouTube channel with various shows, including Land of Music, a series that helps children process the ongoing pandemic through music, engaging characters, and messages of hope. To subscribe, search “A Place To Be Family” on YouTube. The new musical, Hope for Christmas, produced and performed by APTB cast members, will premiere on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7
p.m. Viewers can watch on the APTB website or Facebook page. It will be hosted and narrated by J. Robert Spencer, an original Jersey Boy in Jersey Boys and Tony nominee from the Pulitzer-prize winning Next to Normal. aplacetobeva.org
JUNE — Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity continues to be on the forefront of remedying the vast inadequacies of local affordable housing. Habitat understands that the key to building sustainable, long-term affordable housing options requires strong community partnerships and the willingness to embrace innovative and creative solutions. Both Loudoun Habitat and Fauquier Give | Page 23
Andi Riemenschneider, Nancy Dillon and Kathy Mylan are greeted by cyclist Kasey Clark along Unison Road on their way to a morning meet. Photo by Doug Graham, Wild Light Photos.
22
middleburglife.com
•
DECEMBER 2020