Recently, I helped out with a fundraiser at Barnes & Noble Denver West for the Golden Community Choir. Lots of folks associated with the Choir came out to entertain shoppers with solo songs, duets and even a large group with the Childrens choir. Homemade cookies, breads and cakes were provided by choir members, and gift wrapping was available for any purchase made. All in all, it was a fun day! The fund-raising part came by simply wearing a sticker that identified you as a supporter of the Golden Community Choir. B&N generously donated a portion of all purchases made to the Choir.
However, one shopper made a comment that made me think. He remarked that there were better causes to support than a community choir, and therefore he refused to participate. Remember, he was not asked to donate funds directly but to show his support by wearing a sticker. Initially, I thought that I might agree with him! There are tons of people that need help these days, and I am all for raising funds to support them. Whether your favorite cause is helping people find housing, jobs, food or health care, they all are worthy of our attention and efforts. Why should something as simple as a community choir rate as a fundraiser?
Then I thought a little more about what the choir does for the community of Golden, Colorado. There are more than 50 adults and teenagers involved in the choir, which meets weekly and performs a concert twice a year. This group also volunteers their time to entertain at senior living centers and community events. It provides a safe and fun outlet for people to meet their neighbors, stretch their minds by reading music, and a community of like-minded folks to hang out with. That's worth something! No, the choir doesn't solve the world's problems like cancer and poverty, but in it's own way, one step at a time, it does provide a sense of fellowship with the neighbors. And who knows what that can lead to?
When asked, home buyers often cite the community as a driving factor in deciding where to live. In these days of global economies, internet-based relationships and large work groups, it is a nice change to come home to a group of people in your neighborhood who know you and like you. A community provides benefits to its members by giving them a chance to get together and share their lives in a way that is not readily available these days. Golden, Colorado is just such a community. Opportunities abound to get involved in the community, whether it is local politics or city government, education, outdoor activity groups or the Arts. For more information on Golden, check out my website at www.DenverNeighborhoodHomes.com.
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