Choir benefits from fundraising campaign

"Over the past couple of years, we have been called upon to perform for two memorial services for fallen soldiers," says Cole. "Along with our holiday concerts and other needs in the community for a set of choir risers, the MCCC Advisory Board decided to embark upon this fund raising project."

Mr. Cole is on a mission to promote choral singing in the Gorge. "I want to invite choral groups from around the Northwest to come and perform and it will make it nice to have choir risers for their use."

Locally many choirs and organizations will benefit as well. The risers were loaned to the Hood River High School Choir on Friday for their Advent Concert at Riverside Community Church and the risers will be used for a local Christian school Christmas program, and will be used next Friday for another Advent Concert at Riverside by the church choir.

Over $5000 was needed for the nine risers purchased and organizations such as the Hood River Rotary Club, White Salmon Rotary Club and the Walton Music Trust at Riverside Community Church stepped up to help us raise the money needed. Choir members, both past and present, came together to raise the majority of the money needed by donating, or selling pizza coupons. Many friends of the choir also stepped forward with donations to help meet the fundraising deadline on Nov. 16 when the risers were picked up at Peery Products, Inc. in Milwaukee, Ore., by Cole and Dennis Griffith.

The Mid Columbia Community Choir stood for the first time on the new risers during the recent Christmas programs last weekend. "While the weather didn't cooperate too well, we had three wonderful crowds at each performance," said Cole. "The real plus though is in the generosity of our audience."

This year a record $5861.20 was donated to several charities with Habitat for Humanity receiving $1668.44, FISH Food Bank receiving $2638.67, the Evangelical Pastors Association receiving $777.04 and Mt. Adams Ministerial Associates receiving $777.05.

"I want to thank all who have had a part in our success this year," says Cole. "May each of you have a blessed Christmas and good fortune for the New Year!"