Kids & Family

Playing to Pay it Forward: Lemont Teen Trades Piano Lessons for Pantry Donations

Sarah O'Donnell has turned a passion for playing piano into a humanitarian effort for local families in need of a helping hand.

Lemont teen Sarah O'Donnell is touching lives by tickling the ivories. 

The sophomore at Lemont High School created Lemont Plays for Food, in an effort to share her love of music and support local families in need.

Sarah, 16, offers piano lessons to students—for a $20 monthly donation to the Lemont Township Food Pantry. 

She began playing piano in third grade, and has studied at the Merit School of Music in Chicago. Her students range in age from 4 to 8 years old, and some have never before played.

"I just love being able to teach the kids," she said. "See how they've grown, give others the love of piano."

Sarah currently spends two hours each week teaching; this year, she has collected $600 for the food pantry. The program melds her love of music with her desire to give back. 

"She can't walk past a piano without playing it," said her mother, Donna O'Donnell. 

During the summer, in preparation for the second year of Lemont Plays For Food, Sarah hopes to add up to eight students to teach herself—but she needs additional high school students who would be interested in donating their time by teaching piano or guitar. She is also seeking support from local businesses; Nick's Tavern recently signed on as her first sponsor. Lessons will soon wrap for the summer, set to resume in September. 

Anyone with at least 1 to 2 years of experience, willing to volunteer an hour or two each week, can contact Sarah at lemontplaysforfood@gmail.com. 

"We were really proud of her," Donna O'Donnell said, of Sarah's plan to start the program. "She thought this would be a good way to give back, to students who wouldn't be taking music this year.

"Music is something you carry with you the rest of your life."

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