You may not know that singer-songwriter Sara Hickman lives in the neighborhood. Or if you do not know Hickman is your neighbor, you may not realize what a good neighbor she is.
Since moving to East Dallas in 1986, Hickman has had a significant impact in our community. Between recording two albums, Equal Scary People and Shortstop, and performing throughout the country, Hickman shared her time and talents with many individuals and charities.
She began by volunteering for ARTS for People, a non-profit agency that brings visual artists and performers to visit patients in Dallas hospitals.
For more than two years, Hickman played her guitar in the geriatric, psychiatric and pediatric departments of local hospitals.
Hickman recalls visiting a two-year-old boy who had lost his hearing and sight. The hospital staff had become frustrated because the boy would not respond to anything.
Hickman sat down with her guitar, placed the boy’s hand on it and played. A few minutes later, a big smile appeared on the boy’s face, and he started rocking back and forth.
“You can’t buy something like that,” Hickman says. “I started him on a healing path, and there is nothing better than that.”
Perhaps her most ambitious, and certainly most global, project has been the recording of the song “Romania”.
Last year, Hickman read a newspaper article about the plight of orphans in Romania and a woman who was helping them. Hickman was so touched by their story that she called the woman and asked what she could do to help.
Last year, Hickman read a newspaper article about the plight of orphans in Romania and a woman who was helping them. Hickman was so touched by their story that she called the woman and asked what she could do to help.
“I didn’t go to be a major influence, I just wanted to do what I could do,” Hickman says.
When she returned to Dallas, she wrote a song describing her experience.
“Once ‘Romania’ was written, I thought and eight hours of mixing, the song was completed.
The song is playing on KERA 90.1 FM and soon will be released as a single. Proceeds from the sales of “Romania” will benefit the orphans in Romania.
Hickman also continues to serve those closer to home. She is an honorary member of Girl Scout Troop 610, and she recently served as co-chair of the AIDS Resource Center’s Dance For Life. For two years, Hickman has served as a judge of the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Dallas.
With an art degree from the University of North Texas, Hickman also shares her visual art talents with non-profit agencies. Each year, the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS (DIFA) asks celebrities such as Madonna, Tommy Tune and Hickman to paint denim jackets. The jackets are auctioned and the money benefits AIDS research.
In March, Hickman performed the song, “Each Day is a Gift”, which she wrote for the children at Bryan’s House a residential center for children with AIDS.
Hickman says she is happiest when she can combine her talents with her compassion for people in need.
“When I’m 80, I want to look back and say ‘Wow!’” Hickman says. “I don’t want to wait for my life to happen, and volunteering gets you involved in life.
