Five years ago, Jeff Gelder received an assignment in an education class to come up with a project that contributes to the community and ultimately takes on a life of its own.
Gelder created “Holiday Magic,” a CD for sick children in the hospital and their siblings that features festive music and an original holiday story.
Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee is one of the hospitals that Gelder, who lives in San Diego, provided with free CDs and he hopes to donate to Children's again this year. He does, however, need donations to make this happen. A number of singers and actors donated their talent for the CD, and funds are required to cover the cost of production and to ensure as many children as possible receive them.
"This is a labor of love that is received with much joy by children who are unfortunately spending the holiday season in the hospital and their siblings, who often crave attention due to so much being given to the ailing member of their family," Gelder said. "We appreciate all donations! The more donations the more children that will be receiving a CD."
The “Holiday Magic” CD shares the story of Jeffrey the Reindeer and Santa Claus as they make their way from the North Pole to visit children living in San Diego. Along the way they meet Jeffrey's cousin, Carlito, who lives at the Wild Animal Park. One of the characters in the story, a feisty teenaged reindeer named Kate, is from Milwaukee.
The talent includes award-winning author and actress Vanna Bonta (“Beastmaster,” “Hocus Pocus,” “An American Tale: Fievel Goes West,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Where Sleeping Dogs Lie,” etc.) and Sam Bass of KYXY FM in San Diego. Many other performers lent their talent to the CD.
"For every $2 donation a child will receive a CD of their own," says Gelder.
Gelder is the founder of GelderHead Productions, offering professional voice-over services to enhance business communications.
“I really believe in giving back to the community, and am proud to produce a holiday CD that is distributed free to children who are confined to the hospital during the most festive time of the year,” says Gelder.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
