Student musicians to perform for Yuma community
• 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Woodard Junior High Band
• 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Crane Middle School Choir
• 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - AWC String Ensemble
• 11:30 a.m. - Noon - AWC Youth Choir
• Noon to 12:30 p.m. - Yuma Lutheran/Southwestern Christian Orchestra
• 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Centennial Middle School Advanced Band
• 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Gila Vista Band
• 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Yuma Catholic Guitar & Choir Ensembles
• 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Castle Dome Middle School Jazz Band
• 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Bordertown Saxophone Quartet
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Bordertown Big Band
• 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Yuma Twinklers
• 5 p.m. to 5:30pm - String Ambassadors
• 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Kofa Royalaires
Hundreds of student musicians in the Yuma area will perform during the Yuma County Music Educators Association (YCMEA) Play-a-thon Benefit Jan. 26. Proceeds from the performance will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Yuma.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Village area in front of Harkins theater, 1321 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.
Music groups from three public school districts, several private schools and Arizona Western College will perform throughout the day. During the performance, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity will collect household items which will be sold at the Habitat ReStore, 3242 E. 43rd St. The volunteers will also collect aluminum and plastic for recycling.
“We are hoping that many area Yumans will find items in their home that they can donate to the Habitat ReStore,” said Maggie Fenske, YCMEA Play-a-thon chairwoman.
“Habitat for Humanity of Yuma helps the community, not just by building homes, but through their recycling program and their ReStore, which provides opportunities for people to purchase needed household items at an affordable price.”
In addition, a donation box will be set up to accept monetary contributions to Habitat for Humanity of Yuma. Thrivent Financial will match monetary donations up to $500.
In past years, the YCMEA Play-a-thon has benefited the Salvation Army, the Yuma Community Food Bank, and the Humane Society of Yuma.
“The music teachers decided three years ago to support a local charity every year,” Fenske said.
“We have been trying to reach out to organizations that help others in as many different ways as possible. Since we helped the Humane Society last year, our discussions turned toward helping Yuma families.”
YCMEA hopes the series of Play-a-thons will “instill a sense of community with our students,” Fenske said. “We feel that these Play-a-thon events can bring the students, families and friends together as they help local nonprofit organizations who help those in need, but rely so much on volunteering and donations.”
YCMEA has “seen the positive results when our students are engaged in the process and we also feel they need to know about the resources available in the Yuma area for those in need,” Fenske said.
Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.
