Other News (Fall 2009 Newsletter)

On May 29, Songs of Love held a benefit concert at B.B. King's Blues' Club in New York City featuring Matt Cusson, Javier and Billy Porter. During the concert the audience members helped finish a "song of love" for Britney Vargas who is battling a kidney ailment. This marked the 19,000th "song of love" and made a wonderful girl very happy.

On July 11, we recorded a "song of love" at the Montgomery Gentry concert in Altamont, New York, held by WGNA Country Fest. The song, for Zachery DeLoach, was written and performed by Montgomery Gentry keyboardist Eddie Kilgallon, and a greeting was added on to the song by the brothers Gentry.

Another fundraising event was held in Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by Susanne Hodge, Music Messenger, and the Orange Blossom Country Music Association Singers. They helped perform a song written by John Beltzer for 3-year-old Kinsey Tumlin, and also presented songs written by Mike & Netha Schrimpf to Shawn Shortridge (14), and to Samantha Fross (5) written by William Sherry.

By late October or early November, we are on track to reach our 20,000th Song of Love! Planning is still underway for how we will celebrate this milestone, and which special child will receive the song! Keep an eye out for any updates on this event!

This quarter, songwriters of love Tim Bongiovanni and Rick Tell both reached their 100th "songs of love." We wish to thank them for their hard work and dedication, and look forward to many, many more.

We have also welcomed Eric Vinson, Jeremi Morris and Danny Smith to our songwriting team, all from the Nashville area of Tennessee. We are honored to have them writing for us, as they will surely be bringing many smiles to children everywhere.

We are also still accepting car donations through our
Children Are Receiving Songs (CARS) Program.


Please click here for more information.

Golfers Come Together to "Swing and Sing" for Songs of Love

On September 16, 2009, Songs of Love held its 11th annual "Swing and Sing" golf outing in Franklyn, NJ. After the golfers returned to the cluhouse from a day at the course they all added their voices on a "song of love" for 5-year-old Grace Giannotti who is battling cancer.

Watch the video of this wonderful event!.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32762331/ns/today-today_participate

Songs of Love introduces the "Raising Funds, Raising Voices!" School Program!

As part of the Songs of Love Foundation's "Raising Funds, Raising Voices!" program, your school can record a one-of-a-kind uplifting personalized song for a sick child and help raise funds for Songs of Love. We invite you to join countless other groups who have become stars in their own right. A recent Songs of Love event prompted Lauren, a Piscataway H.S. Student, to state "It is not just giving money, I don't know of any other organization like it!"

Songs of Love Celebrates its 19,000th "Song of Love" at B.B. King's in New York City!

On Monday, June 29, 2009, Songs of Love held a benefit concert at B.B. King's Blues' Club in New York City featuring Matt Cusson, Javier and Billy Porter. During the concert the audience members helped finish a "song of love" for Britney Vargas who is battling a kidney ailment.

This marked the 19,000th "song of love" and made a wonderful girl very happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF-l0qTqQzs

Songs of Love to provide its "Medicine of Music" to children staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

New Hyde Park, NY (April 2008) - John Beltzer, President and Founder of the non-profit organization called the Songs of Love Foundation recently met with the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island to offer free songs specifically geared to help children with challenging illnesses or disabilities. Songs of Love writes and records personalized songs based on the personality, hobbies and life of each child. Songs of Love CD's will be available free of charge to every child whose family stays at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

"Songs of Love is a very unique and insightful organization,'' said Robert S. Weitzner, President of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. "These amazing CD's will bring joy and laughter to our children and their families who are going through some very difficult times.''

John Beltzer of Forest Hills, Queens, founded the organization in 1996. A drummer in a cover band that began in 1980, with his brother Julio on vocals, he was inspired to start a non-profit that would help children after recording a song called Songs of Love. The song, written by his
brother Julio two months before he passed away in 1984, became the namesake of Mr. Beltzer's organization. Mr. Beltzer continued recording songs and in 1995, signed a record deal on Elektra Records with an artist by the name of Alana Davis.

"My goal is to ensure that every child who has family staying at the House will walk away with a song in hand,'' said Mr. Beltzer. "We have had thousands of letters exclaiming the benefits our songs have on the children. I look forward to creating an everlasting collaboration between the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and the Songs of Love Foundation.''

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a "home-away-from home" for families who are caring for seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment in area hospitals. Located on the campus of Schneider Children's Hospital, the House accommodates families in a warm and supportive environment. Since opening in 1986, more than 12,000 families from the United States and more than 80 countries around the world have been served.

Many of the families are from Queens, Suffolk and Nassau Counties, as well as the surrounding metropolitan area.

Songs of Love on the BBC in the UK!

Songs of Love launches its program in Liverpool, UK . . . birthplace of The Beatles!

Watch the news story on the BBC from 1/13/09.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWBErTFUA-k

Songs of Love on "Hallmark Heroes" with Regis Philbin!!

Watch Songs of Love founder John Beltzer's appearance on "Hallmark Heroes" hosted by Regis Philbin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJLa11cp-A0