The 150 members of The Villages Pops Chorus hit all the rights notes Saturday afternoon when they donated $4,000 to the Villagers For Veterans. Their contribution has been earmarked for the VFV’s custom-designed home for disabled Army veteran Pam Kelly.
“We became involved with Marie’s group four years ago,” explained Bill Davis, the Chorus’ director. “Our first donation was for $500; the next year we doubled that amount. Last year, we presented a check for $2,500. We are delighted that some proceeds from our concerts continue to grow and benefit such a worthwhile undertaking.”
The Villagers For Veterans’ efforts to build on The Villages’ Historic Side continue as plans complete the permit process allowing site development work to begin soon.
“The support of organizations like The Villages Pops have exceeded our expectations,” said Sue Roper, the VFV treasurer. “These collective fundraising efforts for such a needed project have been overwhelming.”
Prior to their rehearsal, the singers also presented a check to the Leesburg-based New Vision for Independence, the only non-profit organization in Lake and Sumter counties that provides specialized training to people of all ages who have severe vision loss.
The chorus is now preparing for its Monday, Dec. 3 holiday season concert and a folk-singing hootenanny on Tuesday, Oct. 30 called Give a Hoot Four.
Similarly, the Veterans For Villages are finalizing their fundraiser, I Walk for Pam, a 5K fun run/walk followed by an international fair on Saturday, Oct. 13 at The Villages Polo Field.
“One of our featured performers, the E-Flyer Club, just announced that it will bring flight simulators, along with their 100 remote-control planes so spectators will be able to ‘fly’ some of their high-flying models,” said VFV founder Marie Bogdonoff. “We are also delighted at the tremendous response of clubs and vendors who will host a variety of booths.
“This truly is become a community-wide event,” she concluded.
More information and registration are available at villagersforveterans.org or by contacting Marie at (516) 220-.5068 or villagersforveterans@gmail.com.
