1970’s choir reunites for cancer charity this weekend
The members of the 1970’s youth choir of the Zion Hill Methodist Church will be rolling back the years at the Benjamin Romney Park in West End on August 24, 2013 as part of a fund raising effort for cancer patient Mr Roy A. Hodge aka Shaggy.
The theme of the fund raising activity is ‘Lean on Me’. “Sometimes in our lives we all have pains, we all have sorrow, but if we are wise, we’ll know that there’s always tomorrow. Lean on me when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on, for it wouldn’t be long when I’ll need somebody to lean on,” are some of the touching words of the song "Lean on Me" as written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers and dedicated to Mr Hodge by his friends.
The event is geared at raising as much money possible to assist Mr Hodge offset his medical expenses in his fight to conquer cancer.
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, Ms Gwendolyn Blyden-Rubaine who is one of the key players in organizing the activity said she was moved to spearhead the initiative following a visit to Mr Hodge at his home recently after learning of his medical challenges.
“You know he was a member of our choir back then and I said you know what we can pull together a quick fund raiser to assist him because we all know how cancer treatment is expensive and the fact that he is not covered by any insurance it is very hard. We want to see him get back into good health so we are going to do this tomorrow night to raise as much funds as we can,” Ms Blyden-Rubaine said in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online.
The 1970’s youth choir was well known back in the days but its members had parted over the years as their lives took on different directions, which saw most of them migrating to other countries. According to Ms Blyden-Rubaine, Mr Hodge was a member of the choir back then.
Ms Blyden-Rubaine said she managed to make contact with a number of the choir members who all agreed to re-unite. “We know the time was short but we were able to put together something that is very organized and aimed at pulling as much support from the general public as possible.”
She noted that Mr Hodge is a very intelligent man who made meaningful contributions to society, including the writing of two books. She also explained that there will be no entry fee attached to the activity but there will be a special desk set up for persons to make voluntary donations.
“We know that our people will support this worthy cause. We have quite a number of persons who have been calling and making commitments already so we are positive this will turn out well. In a time like this Roy needs nothing more but to be surrounded by love and that’s what we are prepared to give to him,” she said.
The activity is scheduled to start at 7:30 P.M. and conclude at approximately 9:30 P.M. A variety of food and drinks will be on sale.
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