When he's not out landing sales deals or creating new marketing schemes, The Shamrock Companies' Ron Wilms sings a different tune--literally. Once a week, he entertains residents of four nursing homes in the Cleveland area with his soulful voice and acoustic guitar.
Wilms, a sales representative at the Cleveland-based distributorship, dusted off the guitar from his attic 15 years ago and began crooning for elderly and disabled people. Although he played regular gigs at college bars while an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University (where he was paid mostly with free beer), Wilms nearly gave up the idea of performing when career and family became top priorities.
Then along came Chris and Sheri Callahan, fellow parishioners of the Gospel House Church and Evangelist Center in Walton Hills, Ohio (just south of Cleveland). The couple convinced Wilms to join its upstart ministry program, and Wilms re-entered the musical scene in 1987.
Ron Wilms leads his audience in a sing-along during one of his regular visits to The Heritage Care Nursing Home in Oakwood Village, Ohio. Wilms visits four nursing homes each month to entertain residents and provide them with uplifting messages.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Rochowicz
Aside from entertaining churchgoers, the Gospel House group made regular trips to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. The group sang and provided special meals, gifts and much-needed attention to residents. The visits led Wilms to discover what he describes as his "calling"--renewing a sense of purpose within folks who are ailing. "My intent is to get residents to sing, and to bring them happiness," he says.
Encouraged by his influence at the nursing homes, Wilms decided in 1992 to branch off from the Gospel House program to increase and personalize his visits. Soon, Wilms and a few assistants were visiting four nursing homes each month, a schedule he has maintained for 10 years.
As in his college days, Wilms once again enjoys the spotlight, singing and playing solo for crowds. Tagged with the unofficial title of "choir director," Wilms leads audiences in sing-alongs (usually standards or hymns), occasionally adding an original song or two. Wilms' group, which includes his 77-year-old father, always adds an uplifting reading or speech.
"Many of these people feel like they have nothing to live for," Wilms says. "Perhaps they have no family, or they are in constant pain. We hope our time with them is enough to give them hope and lift their spirits."
Wilms' fans return his joy. After a hectic workday at Shamrock, he says, there's no better de-stresser than a session with his fans. "Even when I'm very busy and preoccupied with work, I still get so excited when I hear them sing," he says.
--Sarah Wassner
