Photo courtesy of Columbus Academy
The Westerville Habitat Partnership’s Progressive Christmas Concert is more than just a series of musical performances; it’s a night to bring together some of its most important partners to increase fellowship in the community.
The concert, slated for Dec. 8, is an annual fundraiser for the partnership. New to the evening, as of this past year, is a connected Soup for Shelter dinner that precedes the concert.
The bowls for Soup for Shelter are made by Columbus Academy students.
“(Soup for Shelter) is actually self-run by students at Columbus Academy, and they take tremendous pride in that responsibility,” says Christy Bening of the partnership. “Students also were responsible for making over 200 bowls for those attending the event. It’s a perfect opportunity for them to showcase their talents and learn how to run an event.”
Soup for Shelter takes place at Otterbein University’s Campus Center from 5-7 p.m. Attendees receive a bowl of soup, bread, a cookie and a beverage, and they get to keep the bowl.
“Raising money is obviously vital to our success, but at the end of the day, it’s almost more about raising the awareness about why we raise the money,” Bening says.
The concert has three stops, each within a block and a half of the last: Church of the Master, Church of the Messiah and First Presbyterian Church. Patrons are led from one performance to the next by costumed, lantern-toting guides.
Over the past 20 years, the partnership has collaborated with a huge number of community organizations, from local churches to Otterbein. Proceeds from events such as the concert and dinner have helped build almost 40 homes for families in need.
“Raising money is obviously vital to our success, but at the end of the day, it’s almost more about raising the awareness about why we raise the money,” Bening says. “What is so great about pairing these two events is you are able to take that money and use it to seed more opportunities for people to be more invested and get involved in the longer haul with our efforts.”
Last year’s events alone brought in more than $9,500. In June, the partnership used that money to contribute to a wall build for a house in Delaware. Wall builds are much safer, Bening says, and they allow for the whole family to participate, made possible by having experts on site and forbidding use of nail guns.
“We are able to have different players in the community, take the gifts and talents they have and come together to create something that truly makes people feel good about what they are doing,” Bening says.
Tickets for the soup dinner are $15 and tickets for the Progressive Christmas Concert are $10. The concert is free to children under 18. Tickets can be purchased at any of the churches prior to 7 p.m. the day of the event, or at the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau.
For more information, visit www.westervillehabitat.org.
Rocco Falleti is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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