What does it mean to care for each other?

What does it mean to care for each other? Sooner or later, most of us have to face the challenging reality of caregiving – whether we need it ourselves, or provide care for a loved one through extended illness or end of life.

At Music Maker Foundation, we primarily work with elders, senior artists who are deeply rooted in American musical traditions and committed to keeping this music alive. Our “whole person” approach drives us to build long-term relationships with these artists, investing in their personal wellbeing as much as their artistic careers. Because of this, we often work with them through the sunset of their lives, supporting them and their caregivers until the end.

Over the last 30 years, we have learned that these twilight months can sometimes turn into years – and are often remarkably productive, prolific periods of artistic excellence. When people feel a sense of purpose and are empowered to pursue their craft, they transcend their pain to offer profound wisdom, inspiration, and artistry to us and their communities, even at the end of their lives.

But as anyone who has cared for a loved one knows, this isn’t easy. It takes a strong team of family members, friends, and neighbors (and more resources than meager Social Security checks provide) to keep folks out of institutional nursing care and in their homes, where they can still be in their productive artistic environment and participate in community life. That’s where Music Maker steps in – with your support.

Elnora Spencer, a 69-year-old blues singer and painter from Birmingham, AL, is currently battling breast cancer. Between rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she has been unable to play the gigs she usually does to supplement her modest Social Security income, which has put her behind on paying household bills. Elnora also lives alone, so being incapacitated by treatment meant it was difficult to keep food in the house.

Because of generous supporters like you, our Sustenance Program has helped ease Elnora’s burdens so she can focus on her health. We’ve arranged to have meals delivered to stock her freezer, so there is always something wholesome to eat when she returns from her treatments. Our monthly supplemental grant helps Elnora keep up with utility bills, and regular check-in calls from Brittany, our social worker, give her much-needed encouragement. We also honor her artistic expression by providing her a steady stream of art supplies, allowing her to keep her creative side alive and giving her an outlet for all she is experiencing.

Freeman Vines, whose work as a luthier and contemporary artist is documented in Hanging Tree Guitars, is another artist who has continued his creative pursuit despite a cancer diagnosis. While he was offered a bed in an assisted living facility, Freeman wanted to stay in his home and workshop as he battled multiple myeloma. It has taken a care team of friends, family members, and Music Maker staff to make this possible; the town’s head postal clerk brings two hot meals a day to his workshop, and Music Maker provided his sister Alice Vines with a reliable car so she can drive him to medical appointments.

Despite a poor prognosis, this community of care has helped Freeman to achieve his goal of living independently and staying creatively productive. This year, Freeman witnessed his vision of a creative center in Fountain, NC come to life with the opening of Music Maker Studios, where his guitars have been played in every recording session so far. He has also built 10 new guitars by hand in 2024 alone! Together, we all keep Freeman going the way he wants to live.

None of this would be possible without support from music lovers like you. Please consider making a gift today to give artists like Elnora and Freeman the chance to be creative and live freely. All gifts made by December 31st, 2024 will be matched at 100% up to $100,000!

From all of us at Music Maker, thanks for loving the music and caring for the artists who make it. We hope you have a joyful holiday season and a very happy New Year!