Spring Break
Singing valentines to raise cash for local schools
Melissa Sturtevant / Staff Reporter
Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: News
There is no better way to celebrate Valentine's Day and say "I love you" than by giving a singing valentine; one that doesn't come in an envelope.
The Coles County Barbershoppers have been serenading the community for almost 40 years, and for the past four years the barbershop chorus has been delivering singing valentines to raise money for local charities.
Founded in 1970, the 35-member chapter often holds benefit concerts and the money received from those goes to community organizations.
Organizations they have donated to include a local food pantry and homeless shelter programs. Proceeds from the singing valentines, however, usually go to local high school music departments.
Tom Woodall, founder of the group, said the budgets for the schools' music departments are diminishing, which is why the money earned from the valentines goes toward them.
"If we can give them a couple hundred dollars and help them buy music or costumes, that's what the valentines are for," Woodall said.
Starting early on Friday four quartets deliver the valentines throughout the community.
"We go wherever the person who made the request tells us," Woodall said. "If a wife requests one for her husband for four men to sing 'I Love You Truly' to the clerk at the front desk, that's when it gets interesting."
James Tidwell, chair of the journalism department, has been a member of the chorus since 1989. Although he is not participating in the singing valentine project, he thoroughly enjoys being a member.
He said that although the name of the chorus is the Coles County Barbershoppers, not everyone is from Coles County.
"We have members from Effingham, Arcola and Tuscola," Tidwell said. "There is one member who drives 40 to 50 miles to be with us."
On average, 30 to 40 singing valentines are ordered every year at $40 each. The recipient receives two love songs, a box of candy and a card, which includes a photograph of the event.
Valentines will be delivered between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. For information on scheduling a valentine, contact Les Heath at 348-8677.
Melissa Sturtevant can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
The Coles County Barbershoppers have been serenading the community for almost 40 years, and for the past four years the barbershop chorus has been delivering singing valentines to raise money for local charities.
Founded in 1970, the 35-member chapter often holds benefit concerts and the money received from those goes to community organizations.
Organizations they have donated to include a local food pantry and homeless shelter programs. Proceeds from the singing valentines, however, usually go to local high school music departments.
Tom Woodall, founder of the group, said the budgets for the schools' music departments are diminishing, which is why the money earned from the valentines goes toward them.
"If we can give them a couple hundred dollars and help them buy music or costumes, that's what the valentines are for," Woodall said.
Starting early on Friday four quartets deliver the valentines throughout the community.
"We go wherever the person who made the request tells us," Woodall said. "If a wife requests one for her husband for four men to sing 'I Love You Truly' to the clerk at the front desk, that's when it gets interesting."
James Tidwell, chair of the journalism department, has been a member of the chorus since 1989. Although he is not participating in the singing valentine project, he thoroughly enjoys being a member.
He said that although the name of the chorus is the Coles County Barbershoppers, not everyone is from Coles County.
"We have members from Effingham, Arcola and Tuscola," Tidwell said. "There is one member who drives 40 to 50 miles to be with us."
On average, 30 to 40 singing valentines are ordered every year at $40 each. The recipient receives two love songs, a box of candy and a card, which includes a photograph of the event.
Valentines will be delivered between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. For information on scheduling a valentine, contact Les Heath at 348-8677.
Melissa Sturtevant can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
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