Park Ridge Singer brings joy to Seniors during Covid 19

PARK RIDGE SINGER PERFORMS FREE SHOWS OUTSIDE NURSING HOMES DURING COVID-19

PARK RIDGE: IL: A passion for singing led Colette Hawley (Maine South Class of 1980)
to a career in New York and then to California, where, somewhat by accident, she found herself singing at nursing homes. The experience was so profoundly transformative that it quickly became the focus of Ms. Hawley’s life’s work. After 6 years in California, Colette returned to Park Ridge where she continued her path, entertaining at Chicago land nursing homes, assisted livings, Senior Centers and Memory Cares. Locally, Colette (affectionately known as “Coco”) proudly performed for our seniors at The Summit of Uptown, Avantara and The Park Ridge Senior Center.

Noted Hawley “ I have always been aware that our culture often disregards the elderly.
I began to see my singing not only as a way to bring joy, but as a way for me to bring attention to this community by sharing my incredible experiences with friends, family and on social media.” She added, “The response from seniors has been incredibly moving; they sing, they smile, they laugh, they clap and tap their feet. I see them go from silent in their wheelchairs to wide awake and fully engaged. It’s really magical.”

All was going well until the coronavirus outbreak. Nursing homes quickly became hotspots
and were consequently put on very restrictive lock downs.
Determined to keep getting music to her beloved elders, Hawley purchased a wireless speaker and mic so that she could safely perform free “Outside the Nursing Home” concerts.
She has sung to seniors from their courtyards, parking lots and sidewalks.
On Easter, Colette donned a homemade Easter Bunny costume, made her way to Bella Terra in Wheeling, and performed. That evening, Hawley was featured on the local ABC & Fox newscasts.

“Doing these outdoor shows has been so exciting. Seeing the residents listening and waving from their windows triggered a great idea: What if this summer, I took a road trip through Illinois, county by county, doing as many free “outside the nursing homes” shows as possible? I have been told that nursing homes will be one of the last to be let off restrictions. I want them all to know we are thinking of them and that we love them.”

Hawley added, “So that’s what I am going to do. I’m putting it together right now. It’s a bit overwhelming, but where there’s a will there’s a way.”

Colette Hawley seems to have more than her share of Will.