David Lin was 9 when a friend of the family took him to play his violin for residents at Country Meadows nursing home.

Martha Rial, Post-Gazette David J. Lin of Upper St. Clair plays "Billionaires' Hoedown" for the nuns at the Sisters of St. Francis nursing home in Whitehall, while his mother, Diana Lin, dances with Sister Matilda Zelin. Click photo for larger image.    This is the fourth of seven profiles of this year's Jefferson Award winners. List of winners 2004 Jefferson Award winners strive to make a difference Previous profiles Grove City teen moved to action by death of nephew Volunteer made tracks to search-and-rescue work Retiree still serves his fellow veterans as hospital volunteer

"At that time, I was young," he says. "I didn't know that this was volunteering, but it was nice to go there and see the people be happy. And I'd get applause, so I'd be happy, too. So everyone was happy."

Now 18 and in his freshman year at Vanderbilt University, he's been volunteering ever since, and not just playing violin at nursing homes. He's also volunteered as an assistant coach for Special Olympics of Allegheny County, a violin counselor at the music camp for Upper St. Clair township and an assistant karate instructor.

These are just some of the efforts that led to Lin's being chosen as one of seven Jefferson Award Winners. Each winner receives a medallion and $1,000 for the nonprofit organization of his or her choice, which in Lin's case is the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in Whitehall. The Community Champion/Jefferson Award ceremony is at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland, and is sponsored by The Pittsburgh Foundation. Lin's funder is the Grable Foundation.

Audrey Patterson, activity director and volunteer coordinator at Sisters of St. Francis Convent, met Lin at Manor Care, a nursing home in Bethel Park, where Lin would play his violin while visiting his grandmother, a resident, who died Nov. 13. As he got older, Lin would also help to transport residents at Manor Care.

"He was always good," says Patterson, who nominated Lin for his award, "but I could see him maturing as he got older. He's still pretty shy, but his mother, Diana, she really encourages him and brings him here."

By here, she means St. Francis convent, where he's just given an afternoon holiday concert.

"They really enjoy him," Patterson says. "They like classical music, and he's a good musician. He plays all kinds of music for us. And he's so polite and nice to them."

When Patterson asked Lin why he refuses compensation for his playing, he told her, "When I see smiles on everyone's face, that is my compensation."

Lin credits his grandmother for inspiring his volunteer work.

"I really think she was a big influence on me, not just because she was in the nursing home, but also because when I was younger, she taught me a lot about being kind to other people, having compassion for and loving other people," he says. "I feel that even today, she left me a legacy of love. That's why I feel encouraged to always do my best for other people."

Although he started playing violin at 5, Lin says he only started getting serious about it "recently, in the last seven years."

He's not a music major, although he does his best to practice as often as possible at school, where his major is biomedical engineering.

"I've always wanted to go into medicine," he says. "I just think the idea of helping other people is very good. And medicine is one of the best ways to help someone. When they're sick, you make them better."

He'd been hoping to play for the Vanderbilt Orchestra but couldn't find a way to make it work with his schedule.

"So right now," he says, "I just play for myself as a hobby."

Going off to school has also cut into his volunteer work.

"This semester," he says, "as I was just moving in and getting used to life at college ... But I've actually talked to several people and I'm getting involved with a program that teaches science and math to students in the area."

As far as volunteering as a violinist while he's off at school, he's still looking for somewhere to do it. But it's hard without his mother, who describes herself as "David's driver," there to take him off to nursing homes.

"By all means, if I had the opportunity," he says, "I would be interested to see what I could do."

It's always been a rewarding experience.

Lin recounts the story of playing "Meditation" by Jules Massanet for a resident at Manor Care.

"It was her favorite piece," he says, "because her father had played it a lot when she was younger and right before I left for summer school at the University of Pennsylvania, I came in to play a concert and I had actually gone up to her room because she was feeling sick and I played 'Meditation' for her.

"And then halfway through my summer school, I got a phone call that she'd passed away. I was quite sad but at the same time, I heard that she had said, 'I just want to say thank you to David for playing that piece for me and helping me to remember my childhood.' "

He pauses to reflect, then adds, "So that was very rewarding."