September 2014 Legend: Tressie Seegers

Tressie and her staff at The Austin Harmony Project bring students with special needs to the stage. They propel their self-confidence sky-high as they give heartfelt performances alongside professional Austin musicians.

RecognizeGood: The Foundation will present the RecognizeGood^® Legend award to Tressie Seegers, founder of The Austin Harmony Project, in a ceremony to take place at the facilities of The Austin Harmony Project, 1806 W Stassney Lane, Austin TX 78745, beginning at 1:30 pm on Thursday, September 30, 2014. As part of the presentation, The Austin Harmony Project will receive a $1,000 pay-it-forward donation from RecognizeGood in Tressie’s name.

When Tressie Seegers first incorporated art and music into a life skills class serving high school-age students with developmental disabilities, she noticed something. The students’ behavior improved, self-esteem increased, and perhaps most significantly, their talents were recognized and encouraged. From that point forward, Tressie built the Austin Harmony Project, enriching lives through art, music and a sense of community. Now, young men and women with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism perform regularly as members of the Sweet Harmony Band. This delights parents, supporters and each other as they sing and dance along with some of Austin’s most popular musicians. In 2013, the Austin Harmony Project provided over 1500 art and music enrichment hours to more than 80 students.

As a 2014 Legend, Tressie is now eligible to participate in RecognizeGood’s annual Say Thanks Austin campaign. This annual event presents the Austin area with the opportunity to say “thank you” to a group of remarkable individuals. The participant with the most Thank You votes receives a pay-it-forward donation of $10,000 to the nonprofit of their choice.

September 2014 Legend: Tressie Seegers

Related Posts

Over the past decade, Don Saegert has completed more than 15,000 trips with Drive a Senior ATX, dedicating nearly 12,000 hours of his time as well as completing home maintenance projects for seniors in need and spreading smiles everywhere he goes.

Combining their love for sewing and for serving veterans, Poppy’s Quilts of Valor in Georgetown has dedicated over 2,000 hours annually for 6 years to honor more than 70 local veterans this past year alone.

For 13 years, Love Serve Feed has been serving up a hot meal and a hug every Saturday

For over 8 years UT Austin students with Seva Charities have worked tirelessly to help provide mid-day meals to children in India, ensuring they can stay in school instead working for their next meal.

Inspired by a dream, husband-and-wife duo Mickey Perkins and Roger Smith have employed neurodivergent adults for countless hours through the nonprofit they co-founded, Schoolyard Dogs.

After an unfortunate accident, Drake Trotter turned an overwhelming personal challenge into an opportunity to help others through “The Drake,” a charity golf tournament where he’s raised over $150,000 for the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation.