For five years, Tim Knipper has used his passion for music to impact the lives of children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County.
A volunteer with the organization for the last five years, the Jersey City resident has raised money to outfit the club with a music recording studio and also organized field trips to New Jersey Symphony performances.
Knipper, 31, was recently honored for his volunteer efforts when he was named one of 12 winners of the Maytag Dependable Leader Award. The honor includes a $20,000 financial grant for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County to provide educational scholarships to club members.
Knipper, who has a degree in music business from Berklee College of Music and a Master of business administration from Georgian Court University, hopes the grant will help expand the club's growing music program.
"I believe music has the power to change lives, and I've witnessed it do so, time and time again," Knipper said. "It's a privilege to share in the joy of a student's newfound ability to express themselves through song. "
Knipper has utilized his skills in music and working at a data analysis company, Verisk Analytics, to teach music and obtain grants for the music program. He first began volunteering for the club as part of his company's Community Involvement Committee program, dedicating about three hours to the organization each week.
"Working as a risk specialist affords me the opportunity to advocate for these students [at the club] in ways that I might not be able to as a full-time musician," Knipper explained, adding that he's also begun campaigning for grants to help improve the club's music program.
With a $100,000 grant from Best Buy that Knipper helped obtain, the club has built a Teen Tech Center, a hi-tech recording laboratory equipped with computers, green screens and cameras.
Knipper began playing cello at the age of 7 and has pursued music on the side for most of his life. He now helps children create and record their own songs at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Downtown Jersey City.
"The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows Maytag brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club professionals and volunteers across the country who give tirelessly to their local communities," said Laura Somers, brand manager for appliance giant, Maytag. "It is our honor to recognize Tim Knipper for his exemplary efforts and support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County."
Knipper received the Maytag Award Thursday during a ceremony at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County.
Gary Greenberg, executive director of the Hudson County Boys and Girls Clubs, believes that Knipper sets a great a example for the organization's young members.
"He's a wonderful role model for club members to look up to and someday become," Greenberg said. "He's well educated, well rounded and unconditionally gives to other people. He has all the characteristics of what we'd want our kids to become."