The idea that everyone can make a difference is the inspiration behind the Princeton Girlchoir’s 8th annual Children Making a Difference benefit concert. Associate Director Melissa Malvar- Keylock started the tradition of the benefit concert in memory of her mother Adrienne Todd Keylock, who died in 1998. According to Melissa Malvar, her mother spent her professional life as a social worker, and her free time at church singing in the choir, so helping others and singing were her great joys. To honor her memory, I combined her lifelong passions, and began the Children Making a Difference benefit concert to help teach our singers that everyone can make a difference by using their time and talents to help others. Each year, the benefit concert raises money for a different charitable organization in our community, and educates audiences about services the non-profits provide.
This year the concert will raise funds for KIVA, a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. The children will experience first-hand how to use their beautiful, powerful, communal voices to help others and make the world a better place. Since the first Children Making a Difference concert seven years ago, approximately $18,000 has been raised for area non-profits. Singing and Service is thus joyfully and jointly brought together in these choirs and their collaborative efforts. The connections and partnerships that Princeton Girlchoir values and promotes in its singers, with the goal of social empowerment, are also evident in KIVA’s idea of social performance, which allows for positive outcomes, in communities it serves. This year’s CMAD will no doubt demonstrate to the choristers that the connections we forge will go a long way in making the big world seem like a little village.
To be held on November 14, 2015, 5:00 pm, at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, the 8th annual Children Making a Difference benefit is one of Princeton Girlchoir’s signature concerts. Admission is by donation, with a suggestion of $10 per person. All donations directly benefit KIVA.
For further information, please contact the Princeton Girlchoir office at 609-688-1888, or visit their website.