Alice Cipollini, a parishioner at Holy Family, was recently recognized as AARP Utah’s Volunteer of the Year. The award honors individuals aged 50 and older who make a significant, positive difference in their communities.
Cipollini has spent approximately eight hours each week for the past 12 years teaching music and tutoring children at Give Me A Chance. This Ogden-based nonprofit is operated by the Daughters of Charity to empower low-income women and support children's education. Cipollini, a retired teacher, began volunteering after the loss of her husband 12 years ago.
For eight years, Cipollini tutored elementary and middle-school students with homework, specifically assisting those struggling academically or learning English as a second language. After the founder of the music program, Sister Lucia-Iam Nguyen, D.C., was transferred to Alaska four years ago, Cipollini took over as director. She has since expanded the program to include three additional instructors, including a former student who studied music at Weber State University.
Cipollini uses her skills as a musician playing guitar and accordion to create performance opportunities for students. These include appearances at nursing homes, farmer's markets, the Ogden Children’s Museum, local Bach festivals, annual Christmas pageants, and with high school jazz bands. Sister Frances Vista, the executive director of Give Me A Chance, stated that Cipollini ensures students can bring their musical talents to the outside world.
In addition to her work at the nonprofit, Cipollini has volunteered in her parish by playing guitar for Masses and participating in collection counting and Eucharistic Adoration. For 20 years, she has also played the accordion for nursing homes during the holiday season. She was nominated for the AARP award by her friend of 42 years and fellow retired teacher, Sarah Voigt.
