Awesome effort helped fight cancer

$15,232.62 - that is the contribution that the BG Singers, their families, friends, acquaintances, artists and audience members raised through the American Cancer Society for Pediatric Cancer Research since last May.

To say I am in awe of everyone's efforts is an understatement, but there are of course many people to thank.

Through the unwavering support of the Buffalo Grove Park District, their board and so many key people, we were able to build community awareness. We were prominently displayed at the Community Art Center, sold canvas tote bags at all theater events as well as the Village of Buffalo Grove's Farmers market.

Bill Heider, Kim Cashmore, Dani Rogers and Lindsay Grandt coordinated a family "Cruise Against Cancer" at Willow Stream Park. Through the efforts of Cathy Novak, local restaurants and businesses generously donated a portion of their proceeds to our cause.

The Buffalo Grove Art League displayed their beautiful work at our concert and each artist donated their entry fee to the American Cancer Society, plus many donated art for a raffle.

Special thanks to Sharon Borstein who coordinated this first-time partnership between art and musical performance.

The BG Singers 23rd season was filled with not only singing, but the joy of knowing we were doing something significant for children. The singers had an arrangement of a mashup of "True Colors" and "Brave" commissioned through the Larry Berkowitz Fine Arts Fund, one of our beloved members who died, and his family and the singers contributed money toward scholarships and community philanthropy in his honor. We know he would be proud that we were able to sing this song, have it featured in a clip on the Today Show and WCIU and open the Relay For Life.

Once again, thanks to everyone involved in making this our most successful fundraising event in our history.

Linda Rosen, Conductor/Director

BG Singers