Ayla Brown Becomes Songs of Love Spokesperson!

After covering a story on Songs of Love for the CBS Early Show as their part-time correspondent, Ayla Brown agreed to be a spokesperson for the Songs of Love Foundation to help bring more awareness and funding. During the segment, Ayla also recorded a "song of love" for 6-year-old Hannah Lowe. She recently recorded another "song of love" for Collin Lecey. Ayla Brown at a glance may seem to be an average young adult. Hold that glance for more than a moment, and meet a young, diligent, and aspiring woman. Her achievements in the short span of the last six years include; Being an American Idol Semifinalist, recording artist of three albums, national and local performances, and involvement in numerous charitable causes. All while being a NCAA Division 1 Student-Athlete and earning a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Boston College. Ayla currently lives in Nashville, TN.

For more click here

An Irish Bar on Long Island, NY, Becomes a Songs of Love Recording Studio!

An Irish Bar on Long Island, NY, Becomes a

Songs of Love Recording Studio!

On Thursday, March 15, a Fundraiser was held at the Nutty Irishman in Farmingdale, NY, for Songs of Love featuring the Classic Rock band 6 Degrees North. It was organized by its lead singer and keyboard player Eric Diton who also wrote and sang the "song of love" for an amazing young man by the name of Steven Wexler. Steven is one of 350 people in the world who has Familial Dysautonomia and Songs of Love teamed up with the FD Foundation for this event. The audience all sang on the chorus of Steven's "song of love" which made the evening that much more magical. Songs of love would like to thank Eric Diton for his generosity and dedication to our mission of music.

A special thanks to Dean Cirella of Cirella's of Melville for providing the amazing food and Shelly Goldman of Eyeking for providing sunglasses for everyone who bought a raffle!

Steven is surrounded by his family and friends as they all sing his "song of love".

Steven Wexler proudly holding his "song of love" with the song's creator Eric Diton (right) and John Beltzer.

John Beltzer standing with the best classic rock band ever, 6 Degrees North.

John and Songs of Love music coordinator Anis modeling sunglasses generously donated by Eyeking!

Volunteers of love.

More volunteers of love.

13th Annual Songs of Love 'Swing and Sing' Golf Outing Makes a Little Girl Smile!

(Pictured right to left) Jack Mulcahy, Ken Dashow,
Gary Rosen, Bruce Rothbard and John Beltzer.

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, Songs of Love held it's 13th Annual 'Swing and Sing' Golf Outing at the Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Special guests included iconic Rock and Roll DJ Ken Dashow of NY's Q104.3 and actor Jack Mulcahy featured in The Brothers McMullen and Sex in the City. Over 100 golfers sang on a "song of love" for 7-year-old Jada Carter who is battling a brain tumor. This was one of over 22,000 "songs of love" delivered for as many children across America and the world. Special thanks to Gary Rosen and Bruce Rothbard for organizing an outstanding event.
Watch video below.



Jada proudly holding up her "song of love" next to her Daddy.

13th Annual Songs of Love 'Swing and Sing' Golf Outing Makes a Little Girl Smile!
On tuesday October 11, 2011, Songs of Love held its 13th Annual 'Swing and Sing' golf outing at the Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Special guests included iconic Rock and Roll DJ Ken Dashow of NY's Q104.3 and actor Jack Mulcahy featured in The Brothers McMullen and Sex in the City. Over 100 golfers sang on a "song of love" for 7-year-old Jada Carter who is battling a brain tumor. This was one of over 22,000 "songs of love" delivered for as many children across American and the world. Special thanks to Gary Rosen and Bruce Rothbard for organizing an outstanding event. Click here to see the golf outing video with Jada's "song of love".
(Pictured from left to right) - Jack Mulcahy, Ken Dashow, Gary Rosen, Bruce Rothbard, John Beltzer.

Featured Child - Jada Carter
Jada is as brave as any little girl can be. She is 7-years-old who is battling a brain tumor. We were able to present her Song of Love at our 13th Annual 'Swing and Sing' Golf Outing. Here she is as happy as can be with her "song of love" and proud dad.

Featured Songwriter - Ayla Brown
After covering a story on Songs of Love for the CBS Early Show as their part-time corespondent, Ayla Brown agreed to be a spokesperson for the Songs of Love Foundation to help bring more awareness and funding. During the segment, Ayla also recorded a "song of love" for 6 year old Hannah Lowe. She recently recorded another "song of love" for Collin Lecey. As our spokesperson, Ayla Brown has joined forces with WS Development and The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, MA to help raise funds and voices for The Songs of Love Foundation through the shopping center's Teen Correspondent program, an online silent auction slated for Feb 2012, and a very special event to celebrate Songs of Love on April 29,2012 at The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley's Cinema de Lux Theatre. The silent auction will offer rare autographed memorabilia interesting items and unique experiences and will be accessible to all across the country. The April event will be hosted by Ayla Brown and feature an opportunity to record a Song of Love with both Ayla Brown and Bob McGrath of Sesame Street, live music and so much more!


Featured New Songwriter - Eric Diton
Eric is our newest Songs of Love songwriter who wrote and recorded a "song of love" for 6-year-old Wilms tumor patient Cannon McKee. Eric was born on September 30, 1963 in Huntington, NY. Played keyboards and sang in a band in High School. Also played in a band called Six Degrees North who were creating classic rock. Eric is famous for his rendition of Disco Inferno. He has sang this at many Bar Mitzvahs and Weddings. He is married to Lori Diton for 23 years. He refers to her as "The most beautiful woman I ever met". Eric has two children Alyssa and Adam. Eric has a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of Business and an MBA from Columbia University. Currently Eric is Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Melville, NY. His credo in life is "It's All Good." as he hangs this on top of his front door. Combining his love for music and his love for children in Songs of Love he feels " is a phenomenal opportunity. I believe in the healing power of music". Songs of Love welcomes Eric to our symphony of love! Click here to hear his song!

Car Donation - Have an old car you don't need?
Donate it to Songs of Love and receive a tax deduction for your donation! The proceeds from the donated car will help us to continue bringing smiles to the faces of sick children by providing them with their own "song of love". You can donate online at www.songsoflove.org/cardonation or call 888-909-SONG. Do it before the year is up! Donate now!

Fundraiser Featuring Ken Dashow of Q104.3 Raises $1,000 for Songs of Love!

Ken Dashow was guest bartender at Antarctica serving up a McCartney Slider cocktail, created by Herb Westphalen, to celebrate Paul McCartney's concert at Yankee Stadium. Part of the night's proceeds went to Songs of Love. Songs of Love thanks Ken Dashow and Sammy Steinlight for putting all together. Special guest for the evening was May Pang.

The Employees of Joseph's Classic Market Sing the 22,000th "Song of Love" for Mariah!

Mariah is all smiles as she holds her very own "song of love".


The employees of Joseph's Classic Market in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, took a moment to lend their voices on a "song of love" written for Mariah Walton who is battling leukemia. It was the 22,000th "song of love" written by the Songs of Love Foundation. Mariah was all smiles when she heard her song and then received her copy. (Listen to the song below.) Joseph's Classic Market is holding an in-store fundraising drive and was presented with the initial check for $1,000. Songs of Love is grateful to Joseph Acierno, the proprietor of Joseph's Classic market and to Songs of Love songwriter/chiropractor Mitch Siegal for helping to coordinate the event.

"Mariah Walton"








Some of the employees of Joseph's Classic Market who sang on Mariah's "song of love".




(Pictured left to right): Proprietor Joseph Acierno, Mitch Siegal, John Beltzer and Joseph's Classic Market store manager Dominick Cassenelli.

Letter of the Day

Happy Monday!
We received yet another amazing letter from a song recipient. This absolutely illustrates the positive and palpable impact of the songs we do on these children's lives. Your car donation and cash contributions have really made the difference. We're so pleased to be able to share this with you today. Enjoy!


Hello,

I am writing for two reasons. First, to express my appreciation for your organization. I have promoted you on Brianna's caringbridge site, my Facebook page, my personal blog, and personally to every one of my friends, family members, and co-workers. What you guys are doing is absolutely phenomenal!

During the first week of July 2009, my granddaughter Brianna received her song from Songs Of Love. We love, love, love it! And, Brianna - who is now 4 years old - loves it too. Brianna is severely disabled (can't sit, stand, crawl, walk, talk, etc). She has multiple diagnoses including brain cancer, severe CP, seizure disorder, hydrocephalus, blindness, gastronomy, and tracheomalacia. However, despite Brianna's disabilities, we've always known that she DOES understand some things.

Brianna was hospitalized for one month in December 09 and January 10 when she got her trachestomy. There were several complications and a lot of pain for Brianna. During this extremely stressful time, when we often felt completely helpless, we played or sang Brianna's Song to our sweet little girl. The nurses were amazed that almost every time we'd sing the song, if Brianna was distressed, agitated, or in pain, half-way through the song, her heart rate would regulate and she would visibly calm down.

More proof that Brianna loves her song (and somehow knows it's HER song):

Several months ago, Brianna's vision therapist introduced her to using a switch device. The hope is that one day she will be able to graduate from this to other communicative devices. As of now, she has learned to operate the switch on command to turn on a fan, a little music toy, and - most recently - an MP3 player that has her song on it along with other songs as well. She will switch through many of the songs but will always stop at Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, at BINGO the Dog, and at Brianna's Song. Brianna's Song from Songs of Love is most definitely her favorite!

My second reason for writing is to ask how I can obtain another copy of the CD. We have the song downloaded on my computer and in Brianna's MP3 player, but the original CD was damaged (broken) by a very clumsy - but apologetic - therapist. I would be more than happy to pay for a second CD.

The information I have is that the song was for my granddaughter Brianna Moore-Harriman. Her "record number" is 19305.

Thank you again,
Julie Engel - Brianna's custodial Grandma and her biggest fan