Anne Goodman Makes Birthdays Sing!

For much of her life, Anne Goodman had a career as a nutritionist. After that, she went from nourishing people's bodies to feeding people's souls when she became an RSVP volunteer.

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Anne found her way to Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly, an organization dedicated to relieving isolation and loneliness in the elderly, by helping them experience the power and beauty of friendship, as well as the joy of just being alive. 

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Anne receives a list of people's birthdays, six months ahead of time. On someone's special day, she sings "Happy Birthday" to them over the phone. Anne even re-learned to play the guitar, to make the song more cheerful and special. "They love getting the call and making the connection!" she says.

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Anne also calls Marciana (originally from Brazil), who was difficult to understand at first. By phoning Marciana once a week for 20-30 minutes. Anne understands Marciana better and better each time. Not only did Anne hop on her bike to visit Marciana in person, she was also invited to Marciana's 90th birthday party!

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Anne says she is "driven" to volunteer. She wants to be "a voice in the wilderness for people who are isolated; to be a vital connection in case someone needs help." Most of all, she wants her elderly friends to know "that someone is thinking of them."

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In return, Anne experiences the tremendous warmth and affection from the friendships she makes with her people. Is it any wonder she feels like singing?