Still Playing, Still Giving: 15 Years of Music

In 2011, Craig Cherrstrom arrived at PPSC’s Adult Day Respite program with his guitar, a love of music, and no idea that one Monday afternoon would turn into a 15-year commitment. After that first performance, Craig was hooked. Fifteen years later, Craig is still showing up — and still not burned out.

For Craig, music is more than entertainment. It is a way to connect, comfort, and create moments of joy.

“I enjoy playing music as much as they enjoy listening to it, and it keeps me busy,” he said. He works hard to keep each visit fresh, rotating through about 120 songs each month and choosing familiar tunes that participants will recognize.

“Every time I play, I play a different set of songs,” he said. “I make sure I play songs that people know.”

Craig says volunteering has opened his eyes to the challenges many people face — and to the powerful role music can play in easing those challenges, even for a little while.

“First of all, I realized that there are people out there who are just having a hard time,” he said. “If music can help them, it means a lot to me to be able to help somebody. When I am helping people, I am helping myself at the same time.”

One memory that has stayed with him is from the Adult Day program, when participants with Parkinson’s, stroke, and dementia all gathered together in the same room.

“They all got along with each other,” Craig said.

He especially remembers a participant named Maria.

“After I would play a song, she would say things like, ‘Your parents must be so proud of you,’” he recalled. “She had survived a stroke and had a hard time talking, but somehow the music connected with her.” Moments like that remind Craig why he continues to return week after week.