If you or your church decide to attend next year’s benefit concert for the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity on Jan. 30, plan to be pleasantly surprised.
Even better – bring your church and perform, if you can.
Not that the last few years haven’t been successful in bringing awareness and funds to the program, which built six homes for lower-income families last year; no, organizers just want more bells and whistles, more trumpets, a few more choirs to spread the joy of Jesus Christ and the worldwide service of Habitat for Humanity.
It was a small affair its first year, according to Rachel Swaney, choir director for St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and coordinator for the annual event.
“Two churches that first year, and now it’s grown,” she said shortly before the program began Sunday night at Beacon Heights Community of Christ Church in Independence. “It’s grown by word of mouth, mostly.”
Since it began, the event has raised an average of $1,300 per event, or about $10 per person. This year’s amount is more than $1,800, although the final tally isn’t in yet. The money goes directly to Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, which supplies the labor and materials to build homes for lower-income families.
Last year, six homes were built in Eastern Jackson County. In all, 50 Habitat homes exist in EJC.
Marian Fields, board president for Truman Heritage, said the organization wants to build 10 this year.
“2009 was our most successful,” Fields said before the large group that had assembed on Sunday night.
And this year has brought special significance, however. In earthquake-devastated Haiti, some Habitat homes have suffered damage, but many have not – due in part to their durability and construction quality, Fields said, two signature features of the homes.
Originally held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, the annual event has grown so much that organizers needed more room, according to Swaney. Partnering with Beacon Heights made sense, Swaney said, because of its room and location.
While there were traditional choir performances, there was one unique performance that appeared to impress the crowd – the Cornerstone Bell Choir, whose group of about seven soothed and inspired the crowd with traditional favorites like “Amazing Grace.”
Swaney said she and organizers were pleased with the outcome this year, though it was a bit difficult this year.
“We had a number of illnesses,” she said. “We were very pleased with the event last year, but we’re happy with this year’s group, too.”
But Swaney has put the call out for next year’s event, scheduled for Jan. 30 – traditionally the weekend before the Super Bowl.
“We want more churches to participate, to make it as good as it can be.”
