all good things must come to an end. Over the past 20 years the A Way With Words Foundation and the ROCcK Children's choir have made a difference in the lives of many. It's with great pride and sadness we have to close down this foundation. Thank you for all your help, prayers and support. There's Hope in What We Do!
Brief History to how we got here……………
Brenda has always been a poet and songwriter starting back when she was a child. Like most budding musicians church fosters the music in kids of all ages. Brenda and her siblings were part of their church Folk Music group and eventually a contemporary choir. After high school everyone has to join the real work world an she was no different. Brenda learned to play guitar by watching the Glen Campbell variety show , the camera was fixed on his hands and every week was a new song she learned. Then through the years she followed John Denver and James Taylor realizing a poetry is better with music. Music was just for her enjoyment and set aside for many years.
In May 1999 Brenda was diagnosed with breast cancer after taking a friend for a routine mammogram. She went along for moral support, at age 37 she wasn't old enough to start a baseline. As fate would have it, she was stage 3 with lymph node involvement. After surgery, chemo and radiation still here 15 plus years!
During treatment Brenda wondered what it would be like as a child going through what she was. She talked with friends and they decided to start the children's choir now known as ROCcK. Raising Our Commitment to cancer Kids.
They began writing music specifically for cancer patients that is age appropriate for kids of inspiration. These kids and families joined the ROCcK Children's Choir strictly on faith that there's hope in what we do.
Today Brenda still writes most of the songs the kids perform and record. Currently they have a recording project in the works, looking for a sponsor to underwrite the expenses. Brenda also is the process of writing another book in the series of "Tomato Alley" and the 4th poetry book hopefully to be ready for print spring 2016.
Most of Brenda's time is spent raising money for others in treatment, and helping as many people as possible. She also is on the Youngstown Community Airbase Council , does volunteer work for Wounded Warrior Project and Veterans Treatment Court in Mahoning County.
Brenda has always been a poet and songwriter starting back when she was a child. Like most budding musicians church fosters the music in kids of all ages. Brenda and her siblings were part of their church Folk Music group and eventually a contemporary choir. After high school everyone has to join the real work world an she was no different. Brenda learned to play guitar by watching the Glen Campbell variety show , the camera was fixed on his hands and every week was a new song she learned. Then through the years she followed John Denver and James Taylor realizing a poetry is better with music. Music was just for her enjoyment and set aside for many years.
In May 1999 Brenda was diagnosed with breast cancer after taking a friend for a routine mammogram. She went along for moral support, at age 37 she wasn't old enough to start a baseline. As fate would have it, she was stage 3 with lymph node involvement. After surgery, chemo and radiation still here 15 plus years!
During treatment Brenda wondered what it would be like as a child going through what she was. She talked with friends and they decided to start the children's choir now known as ROCcK. Raising Our Commitment to cancer Kids.
They began writing music specifically for cancer patients that is age appropriate for kids of inspiration. These kids and families joined the ROCcK Children's Choir strictly on faith that there's hope in what we do.
Today Brenda still writes most of the songs the kids perform and record. Currently they have a recording project in the works, looking for a sponsor to underwrite the expenses. Brenda also is the process of writing another book in the series of "Tomato Alley" and the 4th poetry book hopefully to be ready for print spring 2016.
Most of Brenda's time is spent raising money for others in treatment, and helping as many people as possible. She also is on the Youngstown Community Airbase Council , does volunteer work for Wounded Warrior Project and Veterans Treatment Court in Mahoning County.