August 17, 2022
In the key of love St. Louis Musicians for People with Disabilities works to provide support to people with disabilities by hosting fundraising concerts
A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 2 AUG. 24: A Walk-Through History plaque dedication to honor two individuals . Pg. 3 Florissant to waive fees for inspections and occupancy permits for those affected by the recent flood . Pg. 5
Senior Living STILL IN THIS TOGETHER Grandma is smiling. Pg. 5
By Wendy Todd Jeff Dunlap has been named Chairman of the Board of a nonprofit, St. Louis Musicians for People with Disabilities, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The new organization works to provide financial aid and other support to people with disabilities by hosting fundraising concerts to support organizations that help the disabled community. Dunlap is an author, editor, journalist and musician who suffered a debilitating stroke in January 2019. He spent 31 months in a nursing center for occupational and physical therapy until moving to his own apartment. Music helped saved his life. “For 40 years I performed in folk, pop and rock groups. In 2019 a stroke deadened my left arm, left leg, and left hand. I also broke a hip and got COVID-19. Without YouTube and internet radio on my laptop, and a cheap guitar to bang on, I would have given up and died. Instead, I got better.” This ordeal led Dunlap to conceive the idea for an organization that combines music with the mission of helping others with disabilities. “People who are disabled love music as much as anyone, yet often don’t have opportunities to perform even if they sing or play an instrument beautifully,” Dunlap said. “In February 2022, I realized an organization like St. Louis Musicians for People with Disabilities is truly needed and musician friends agreed. We submitted necessary paperwork and gained federal status a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. Friends named me chairman because I led the effort, and they agreed to serve as board members and secretary and treasurer. I am honored.”
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Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4 Submitted photo Jeff Dunlap is the Chairman of the Board of a St. Louis Musicians for People with Disabilities and an author, editor, journalist and musician who overcame a debilitating stroke he suffered in January 2019.
The organization’s inaugural concert “A Hootenanny Benefit for People Who Are Disabled” is slated to take place Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the outdoor stage at Webster Groves Garden Café. The seven musical acts will include three musicians and singers who are disabled. All proceeds will be distributed to local nonprofit orga-
nizations that help children and adults with disabilities. The performance is free. The nonprofit plans to have two to three performances per year. “Our group wants to help change society’s perceptions about people who are See ‘LOVE’ page 3
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