Meet Ellen Morris, our featured volunteer from Washington D.C.!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 3.5 wonderful years!
Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Guide
What is your occupation outside of MOC? Previously, High tech, Currently- CFO-Cheif Family Organizer
Do you have any hidden talents? Not so hidden, but I do love to help organize, event plan, boat the Chesapeake Bay and pick hard shell crabs! I recently learned to captain my own little boat!
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? Musicians on Call tugged on my heart strings when I first learned about the program on their 10th anniversary. The opportunity to volunteer with MOC was serendipitous. My daughter moved to Nashville to attend college and she was able to volunteer, intern and ultimately work for MOC. At that time the DC program was reorganizing and lucky for me, I was able to sign up as a volunteer guide. The healing power of music has given so much joy and comfort to me throughout my life that it was a perfect opportunity to share with others. I was most fortunate to have the opportunity in D.C, as well as while visiting Nashville, to get to know the incredible MOC team. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent the organization. Even greater is to have the opportunity to give back to the people and their families that protect our freedom.
What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? The personal interaction with people in their rooms is overwhelmingly powerful. I always imagine what these dedicated individuals and their families have experienced, it’s uniquely humbling. They are all so grateful for our time and talent and it seems like a drop in a bucket compared to what they have given to serve our country.
Has your life changed because of your experience with MOC? Absolutely! I’ve met the MOST amazing people! Most importantly, I am grateful beyond words to be able to share time and the healing power of music.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? SO MANY! One visit, we entered a room and there was an elderly couple sharing a piece of chocolate cake. After introducing the program and the musician, their faces burst into smiles. It happened to be their wedding anniversary. They told us that their anniversary tradition is to ALWAYS eat chocolate cake and listen to music together. We had shown up in time to be the music for their sweet celebration. I had to work hard to hold my happy tears back, it was such a wonderful, serendipitous moment. Every experience is different, some rooms are full of family members that sing along, some are people by themselves. We make their day – every visit, every song. The healing power of music IS magic. My most proud MOC moment was being the guide for my most favorite musicians, my daughter and husband ! It was an extra special MOC day!
