In Santa Barbara, a Pickleberry performer, Lanny Sherwin, plays ukulele for a small class of children with special needs. None of them can speak. Only two can walk.

For weeks, one little girl — we'll call her L. — was afraid of him. She'd stay inside while the others sat outside in plastic chairs and listened.

Then one day, something changed.

She walked out on her own. Sat down right in front of him. Asked, in her own way, for "Wheels on the Bus."

When the song ended, she reached over with both hands, took his hand in hers, and gently held it over her heart.

He said he didn't breathe for about 10 seconds.

"For those 10 seconds, there were just the two of us in the Universe."

That's a Musical Moment that Matters.

And starting today, through May 18, we're raising $10,000 to make sure moments like that keep happening — in hospital rooms, pediatric wards, and special needs classrooms across the country.

A generous supporter has already committed $2,000 — anonymously — because they believe in this work. You're already 20% of the way to the goal.

Now we need you.

→ Give a Musical Moment today

Here's what your gift makes possible:

$25 — a musician's travel to a hospital visit
$50 — a bedside visit of live music
$100 — three bedside performances for children who can't leave their rooms
$250 — a live concert for a whole pediatric unit

Pickleberry Pie brings Musical Moments every day — we see what music does up close. And it matters.

If you can, give today.

With gratitude,

Jenny Heitler-Klevans Executive Director, Pickleberry Pie, Inc.

Musical Moments that Matter

Pickleberry Pie Hospital Concerts

Team Members