Bonnie Sysko Serves Smiles With A Side Of Rhythm

When Bonnie Sysko sits behind her drum kit, the smiles from the audience begin before a single beat has been played.

The crowd isn’t a typical one, though. For 20 years, Sysko has been spreading the joy of music with sing-alongs at assisted living and nursing residences in the region.

During a September 26 sing-along at Sunrise of Severna Park, about 30 senior residents of the facility were belting out songs from their youth while tapping their feet and nodding their heads.

With Sysko’s steady hands dosing out the rhythm, the other volunteers from Assistance League of the Chesapeake encouraged the residents to join in and sing along.

“It’s really a wonderful gift they give to our seniors,” said Kimberly Best, activity and volunteer coordinator at Sunrise of Severna Park. “Bonnie takes time to pick music that the residents know.”

Sysko, who is blind, said the volunteers have as much fun as the residents.

“Although I cannot see the smiles, I can sense the energy in the room and am happy to know that everyone is having a good time,” Sysko said.

As well as drumming and chairing the sing-alongs for seniors, Sysko is currently the bylaws chair and parliamentarian of Assistance League of the Chesapeake, a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to improve the lives of children and adults through community-based programs.

Sysko’s penchant for spreading joy comes as no surprise to her sister, Laurie Brautigam, who recently moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

“Bonnie’s whole life has been to do for others,” Brautigam said. “She’s just a really good person.”

Sysko, who is a Shipley’s Choice resident, is a charter member of the Assistance League of the Chesapeake. In addition to the sing-alongs for seniors, Assistance League of the Chesapeake offers a variety of services such as providing uniforms for school children in need as well as running a program that utilizes puppets to talk with elementary school students about bullying.

“I just like to help whoever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can,” said Sysko, who is married with four kids and seven grandchildren.

Sysko’s fellow volunteer, Michele Kelly, spoke about one sing-along event where the group was approached by a man asking for a particular song to be played so that he could sing it to his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. After the song was over, Kelly said a tear ran down the wife’s cheek as she leaned over and kissed her husband. It was the first kiss she’d given in four years.

“Studies have shown that hearing and participating in these songs from their past is beneficial to seniors and can often improve their mood and behavior,” Sysko said. “Even those suffering with severe memory loss have actively participated in the sing-alongs, much to the surprise of their caregivers.”

During the recent sing-along at Sunrise of Severna Park, the residents were led into “When You’re Smiling.” Perhaps there’s no better way to summarize the impact that Sysko’s group has on the residents than to hear the seniors singing the lyrics in unison while expressions of joy spread across their faces.

“When you’re smilin’, when you’re smilin’, the whole world smiles with you. When you’re laughin’, when you’re laughin’, the sun comes shining through.”