Your support gives senior artists a safe home for the holidays

As the leaves change color and a crisp chill sneaks into the morning air, our thoughts begin to turn towards the holiday season. For many of us, the magic of the holidays is defined by the warmth of home, a place to gather with loved ones and find sanctuary from the winter chill. Having a safe and warm place to celebrate the season is a fundamental comfort that is easy to take for granted.

But for the artists we support at Music Maker Foundation, home is becoming harder to hold onto. As housing and utility costs continue to rise, seniors living on a fixed income find it ever more difficult to afford everyday necessities, let alone expensive home repairs. When the roof starts to leak or the furnace kicks the bucket, many simply go without, even if it means putting their health and well-being at risk.

We can change this—but we need your help.

Your support can help give these cherished tradition-bearers the comfort, dignity, and recognition they deserve. Will you consider making a gift to Music Maker this holiday season?

All donations made by December 31 will be matched at 100% up to $100,000—which means a gift of $25 becomes $50, $100 becomes $200, and $500 becomes $1,000!

At age 87, gospel singer Lena Mae Perry has spent more than 50 years bringing hope and healing to others through her music. Her longtime gospel group, the Branchettes, has been hailed as one of the finest in the South. They received the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award in 1995, were the subject of an award-winning documentary in 2021, and filled the pews every Sunday for decades at Long Branch Disciples of Christ Church.

Lena Mae may still be going strong in her late 80s, but her beloved home in Raleigh, NC has started to show its age. This year, her family reached out to let us know that her house was in desperate need of repair. Her kitchen floor was in rough shape, with several floorboards completely rotted through, and her roof had developed a serious leak. The cost to make Lena Mae’s home habitable again would be far more than what her modest fixed income could afford.

We believe that an artist who has dedicated her life to uplifting others deserves a safe place to call home. Thanks to your support, Music Maker was able to fund these critical repairs, ensuring that Lena Mae can keep living in the home she loves.

“There have been times where we haven’t had much trust in this world, but we’ve always trusted Music Maker,” Lena Mae says. “We really feel like Music Maker is part of our family.”

Lena Mae’s story is not unique. This summer, 93-year-old bluesman Drink Small was on his front porch with a friend when part of the floor suddenly collapsed, leaving a dangerous hole right next to his favorite sitting spot. Thankfully, no one was hurt—but, like Lena Mae, Drink and his wife Andrina live on a fixed income and couldn’t afford the repairs on their own. Generous music lovers like you made it possible for us to fix the Smalls’ porch once again giving them a sturdy, safe place to connect with friends and family.

Many of our partner artists live on an average of just $1,150 a month, making any unexpected home repair or a spike in heating costs a potential crisis. Our Sustenance Program provides a vital lifeline, offering emergency grants for housing stability, utility assistance, and medical support as well as ongoing monthly support for those who need an extra hand up.

Will you consider making a gift this season to help more artists like Lena Mae and Drink stay in their homes? Now through December 31, your gift goes twice as far. A generous supporter has offered a $100,000 match, meaning your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact on the lives of these musical treasures.

These artists have brought so much comfort and joy to our lives through their music. With your help, we can return the favor—now and in the New Year.

Thank you for loving these incredible musicians as much as we do!