Meet Joan Tishgart, our featured volunteer from Philadelphia!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children & CHOP
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 2.5 years
Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Guide
What is your occupation outside of MOC? I am a retired Management Consultant
Do you have any hidden talents? Although my culinary skills are limited, I am known for a few special dishes with friends and family.
My most requested dish is Noodle Kugel which was just published in the Cherry Bombe Cookbook in late 2017.
I participated in their national book tour when they came to Philadelphia.
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? I have always loved going to concerts and listening to music at home and in the car. When I first read about MOC in the Inquirer, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of it.
After completing the application, I waited a year before Guide positions became available. It is a privilege to work with so many talented musicians.
I believe in the healing power of music and that’s what makes this program so meaningful.
What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? I have done community service as a volunteer my whole adult life. For the past 9 years, I have tutored reading at the Childs elementary school in South Philadelphia.
I have also been a Big Sister volunteer for as long as I can remember, currently working with an 8 year old at the Russell Byers charter school in Philadelphia.
MOC is a unique volunteer experience which enables me to combine my love of music with my love of working with children.
Has your life changed because of your experience with MOC? I have been emotionally touched by the experience of visiting sick children and interacting with them and their parents. Every evening that I volunteer at the hospital,
I leave with a good feeling – as I know that we have made a small difference in that patient’s day.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? A child dancing down the hall with us, because he wanted to hear more music.
A mother singing along to Three Little Birds by Bobby Marley and crying when the chorus began – “don’t worry about a thing…”
A smile on a child’s face that was sad when we entered the room (thankfully, this happens often).
