We’re extremely proud and excited to announce that Hand-In-Hand: Programs for Children With Special Needs will be featured on the September 5th nationally televised episode of GAC’s Great American Heroes! Country Music star and Great American Heroes host Trace Adkins visited the Hand in Hand center in Davenport, Iowa during the filming of this episode in May. We are thrilled this program celebrates Hand-In-Hand’s children, families, staff and volunteers who are the heroes that take on disability issues every day!
West Music’s Music Therapy Services Department provides music therapy to individuals enrolled in the Hand-In-Hand programs, and our own Kelly Carlson will be featured on this episode! Be sure to tune in to GAC on Wednesday, September 5th at 7:00 PM CST to watch the episode! For more information about the episode, CLICK HERE!
About Great American Heroes (from the series’ website)
Country music superstar Trace Adkins knows a thing or two about heroes, and this fall he’s bringing their stories to life in the new series Great American Heroes on GAC. Great American Heroes follows Adkins on his nationwide Songs & Stories tour as he takes time away from the stage to pay tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their local communities. Great American Heroes premieres Wednesday, August 22nd at 8:00 pm ET. Episodes will re-air on Sundays at 8:00 pm ET. In each episode, Adkins visits with three hometown heroes to learn about and acknowledge their efforts, and surprise them with something special to help them continue their good work. As a bonus, Adkins hosts the local heroes as special guests at his concert in their hometown.
About Hand-In-Hand (from their website)
Hand-in-Hand is the concept of two sets of parents with special needs children. Mark and Vinnie Smith, and Dave and Joanie Steil both had a dream of seeing their children afforded the same opportunities available to typical children. Unfortunately, the Steils were unable to realize this dream for their daughter Tessa, as she passed away in May of 1999. However, knowing the positive impact she made on many lives, these parents wish to keep her wonderful spirit alive by making this unique and exciting respite program a reality. Hand-in-Hand programs provide a growing number of services for both special and typical needs children 6 weeks to 21 years fo age. Hand-in-Hand is also expanding some activities to serve adults with disabilities. Our activities are planned with the age and ability level of each individual in mind. Children with a wide variety of mental, physical and medical needs are welcomed participants in all of our programs. Hand-in-Hand is a non-profit organization that assists families with special needs. We exist to expand the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for children and young adults of all abilities by providing programs designed to encourage fun, learning and social interaction in a positive environment.
Aaron Hansen is an experienced K-6 General Music educator, passionate about bringing music to life through the Orff Approach. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Aaron has completed comprehensive Orff Teacher Training, including three levels at the University of St. Thomas and an Orff Master Class. His dedication to the Orff method took him to the Summer International Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Aaron also shares his expertise by teaching movement at various Orff Teacher Training Courses and conducting workshops for local Orff Chapters.
