Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007
Keith L. Martin |
Troops stationed in Iraq are getting some holiday cheer thanks to a Frederick-based chorus.
On Dec. 4, members of the A Cappella Showcase Chorus sent 22 care packages to members of the U.S. Army’s 3-7 Cavalry Apache Troop stationed in Iraq, as part of its Operation Shoebox project.
‘‘It is a little thing for us, but a big thing for them,” said Carolyn Sexton, music director for the chorus.
Sexton and her husband, Cal, founded the chorus soon after moving to Frederick in July 2005 with friend Jennie Boone of West Virginia. Longtime friends, the trio members realized they had never sung together and formed the group to combine both male and female voices performing everything from doo-wop to gospel.
The chorus has 25 members and has performed at events such as the recent Candlelight Tours in Schley Park and in July at the Great Frederick Float.
Carolyn Sexton sent a friend’s son, who was recently deployed to Iraq, a birthday card recently, and then approached members of the chorus to see what else they could do to support U.S. troops overseas.
‘‘The group really wanted to do more,” she said. ‘‘So we made a list of things [troops] needed ... and the group went out to buy them.”
From there, Operation Shoebox was born. Members bought items such as snack foods, teas and coffees and hygiene items. Rather than use packing materials, the group used hard candy to fill up the shoeboxes. Each box has individual greetings from chorus members.
For Sexton, supporting the troops also had a personal meaning. Her son, John Morter, narrowly escaped death when stationed with the U.S. Marines in Beirut more than 20 years ago, she said.
‘‘That left a lasting impression on us, that he was safe, but there were many in his company who were not, and lost their lives,” she said. ‘‘So we’ve tried to do things for others ... and the members of the chorus really jumped in on [Operation Shoebox] and participated.”
The group shipped the 22 boxes last week to the soldier Sexton knows. He will distribute the boxes among his unit.
‘‘We can’t wait to hear back from them ... and we plan on doing this more in the future,” Sexton said.
For more information on A Cappella Showcase Chorus contact Carolyn Sexton at ACappellaShowcase@gmail.com.
Frederick children‘Shop with a Cop’
Eleven young people from across Frederick County got to browse the Wal-Mart on Monocacy Boulevard with a personal shopper as part of the second annual ‘‘Shop with A Cop” event.
Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Frederick, the event pairs elementary students referred by community liaisons with police officials for the shopping trip.
Victor Hoffman, the group’s treasurer, said the outing is a perfect compliment to the club’s mission of being a friend to youths.
‘‘We think ‘Shop with A Cop’ is great and everyone gets enthusiastic about it,” said Hoffman, a Walkersville resident. ‘‘... It is great that we can reach some kids and really make a difference in their lives and they get a respect for law enforcement.”
This year’s event took place on Saturday.
The children were accompanied by officers from the Brunswick and Frederick police departments, Maryland State Police troopers and deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
Each child received a $100 Wal-Mart gift card to purchase gifts for family members as well as a $20 gift card for themselves.
After a long morning of shopping, the officers, children and Optimist Club members all enjoyed lunch at Outback Steakhouse on the Golden Mile where they sat, talked and wrapped their holiday gifts.
‘‘For most of these kids, this was the first opportunity they ever had to buy something for their family members and we were happy to be a part of that,” Hoffman said.
For more information on the Optimist Club of Frederick, visit www.frederickoptimist.org.
YMCA cookbooknow on sale
As part of the celebration of their 150th anniversary, the YMCA of Frederick County has whipped up a cookbook of some classic recipes.
Organization staff and community volunteers produced the cookbook that features hundreds of recipes from main dishes to desserts and creations especially for children.
The cookbook sells for $12 and all proceeds benefit the YMCA’s anniversary celebrations next year.
On Tuesday, the cookbook was part of the YMCA’s annual holiday craft fair and Frederick County artist Yemi Fagbohun, who designed the front cover, was on hand to sign copies.
To purchase the cookbook, visit the front desk of the YMCA at 1000 N. Market St., Frederick, during hours of operation (6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays).
For more information, contact Paula Hoffman at 301-663-5131, ext. 237, or phoffman@frederickymca.org.
Do you have an item for City Beat? Contact reporter Keith L. Martin at 301-846-2134, e-mail kmartin@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.
