See A Charlie Brown Christmas Live Performance to Benefit The Musary

A Charlie Brown Christmas live? It's happening this weekend. And it's being put on by a great local organization you might not know about.

The Musary, JRP Inc., based in South Hamilton, MA, was founded to celebrate the life of John Ryan Pike. You might remember him as the founding member, songwriter, and drummer of the indie rock band Ra Ra Riot who died suddenly and tragically in 2007. To those who knew him personally, he was an inspiration: a beacon of light shining with talent, humor, compassion, and joy.

The Musary was created to celebrate John's life and to share his passion for music with others. The program manifests this mainly as a musical instrument lending library. For instance, when my youngest wanted to give trumpet a try in 5th grade, The Musary lent them a horn. They also lend to organizations in need of musical instruments and sponsor Instrument Playgrounds for young people to learn about music and musical instruments. And they put on great events, too.

On Saturday, December 9 at 3 p.m., The Musary presents a live musical performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The Aidan Scrimgeor Trio will bring the Vince Guaraldi classic to life at The Community House at 284 Bay Rd. in South Hamilton, MA. Again, doors are at 3 p.m., and space is limited, so arrive on time to ensure you'll get a seat.

And while the event is free, The Musary is encouraging a $25 donation as a way of saying "thanks" for the music and to allow them to continue to give the gift of musical instruments to those who need them. I'm planning on being there, too, so please don't hesitate to say "hi" if you see me. Happy Holidays and, as The Musary likes to say, Play On!

It's Adam 12 with another list of 12. This one's for Giving Tuesday 2023 and I hope it will inspire some generosity.

I've rounded up a whole bunch of causes and charities that are near and dear to my heart. For example, I love the outdoors. And I’m a firm believer that protecting the planet is priority number one, especially nowadays. If your house is on fire, you put that fire out before you do anything else, right? So I’m doing what I can with my time and my money to support national organizations that are doing the important work to keep green spaces green and to advocate for the planet.

I’m also a big believer in neighborhood and community. I’m of the mind that if more of us took more of an interest in what’s going on in our own cities and towns, we’d all be better off. You may or may not remember that during the height of the pandemic I spearheaded Free Food Friday. Every week, I’d spotlight a local food pantry or food bank that was doing the work to keep kids and families fed in the Commonwealth. You'll find a few of those below.

I hope you'll feel moved to give to some of these groups. I encourage you, though, to find those in your own back yard so that you can do the good work of helping out your neighbors in need.

Now? My list. 12 organizations, both local and national, that I will be giving my money to on this Giving Tuesday. Hopefully you’ll pick a few and do the same. And hopefully you’ll take the Giving Tuesday spirit and carry it with you throughout the year. Once you get in the habit of giving a little bit a few times a year, you'll see good things start to happen.

ABCD is part of the Community Action Network. The ABCD Winter Fund supports underserved people in Boston, Everett, Malden, and Medford with warm clothes, food, and toys for the holidays.

Donate here.

The BRM offers resources combat addiction and to prevent and end homelessness. Help feed the homeless this holiday season.

Donate here.

BGC Woburn has been a home-away-from-home for my kids since before they were in school. And my oldest works for the Stoneham & Wakefield BGC. If you’re lucky enough to have a Boys & Girls Club in your neighborhood,  you are blessed indeed. Find yours or donate to one of mine!

Donate here.

Based in Woburn, the Council of Social Concern is a charitable, community-based agency, responding to the basic needs of people of all ages. They offer early childhood education, a food pantry and more to the surrounding community.

Donate here.

Everyone knows the GBFB; they do so much good. It doesn't take much money to make a difference, as you can see.

Donate here.

Based in Salem, the North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth provides programing and a safe space for LGBTQIA+ across the north shore and beyond.

Donate here.

I’ve been a Mass Audubon member for years and taken advantage of the many wonderful outdoor spaces they protect and maintain. And they're making great strides at making the outdoors accessible to all.

Donate here.

Northeast ARC does wonders for people with disabilities and their families. I’m a member of their Autism Dad’s Group and can speak from experience about the amazing work they do.

Donate here.

PYD is all about empowering youth across all disabilities. Their workshops have been a crucial resource to my family, and the work they do is vital.

Donate here.

The Massachusetts Sierra Club has been knocking out of the park lately, advancing policy to protect the planet both locally and nationally.

Donate here.

I can’t even find the words to tell you how The Story School has changed my 15-yr-old’s life. Story-based STEM education and the greatest summer camp ever.

Donate here.

TPL isn’t just protecting land from development in the far reaches of America. They’re protecting land in our own backyards.

Donate here.