AUGS Choir students raise $1,700 for Open Arms Mission

On April 29, the AUGS Honors Choir held a benefit concert and silent auction that raised $1,703 for Open Arms Mission in Antioch. The students entertained the audience with singing and dancing and special numbers by individuals from the group. They also solicited donations for a silent auction held during the concert.

Open Arms Mission provides assistance to families in the Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst area. The choir asked that the monies raised be directed to programs that directly benefit children and they expanded the Open Arms Slogan “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” to include “Neighbor kids helping Neighbor Kids.”

All of this was inspired by the choir's participation in America Sings!, a music festival held in Lisle on May 13-14 of this year. Founded over 20 years ago by John Jacobson, students at this festival not only share their musical talents, but also share in service projects that help students less fortunate than themselves. The motto of America Sings! is “To kids who have no hope, from kids with hope to share.”

Participants are encouraged to do service projects in their own communities, as well as at the festival. At the festival, AUGS students made donations to an area food bank, helped pack "kits for kids", and made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a shelter.