by Jill Naumann
Winter chills and holiday thrills! Just when we thought it was safe to put away our karaoke microphone and elf hat, duty calls!
For the 3rd year, the unofficial LMGA choir was posted on the activity board at the Motion Picture Television Fund’s Wasserman Campus. Musical director Kim Kopp once again led our jovial group of volunteers. Rosemary Brandenburg, Ken Haber, Eric Klosterman, Marta Tomkiw, Bobby Leigh, Janet Harold, Lisa McFann, Marie Healy, Carole Segal, Kim Crabb, Jack Guberman and myself braved the elements (and the 101) to make our way to the rehearsal room, where the anticipation was as thick as a cozy sweater. A few quick run-throughs and tra la la’s and we were thrust into the spotlight in the main hall.
Traditional song pages were handed out to encourage audience participation. Our group gleefully sang for almost an hour and without incident, upset, or a break out dance, like the TV show Glee (except for a small unnoticed extra “jiggity- jig” by Ken Haber.) The administration was overjoyed and even the staff joined in the yuletide spirit. Following the encore, everyone enjoyed cookies and fruit punch while gift bags were distributed to the delight of the residents. Carole Segal had fun creating the 40 gift bags of holiday goodies.
The highlight of gift giving came from a secret angel named Janis Davis. Quilting for about 16 years, Ms. Davis never threaded a needle before learning at an Arizona community college at the young age of 64. She worked tirelessly for over a year to complete 40 handmade lap quilts (with the LMGA logo on the back) for all our new friends at the retirement home. When pressed for the reason behind this generous act, she had this to say, “My daughter, Nancy Haecker, made me do it.”
When choir member Janet Harold was asked what motivated her to attend the event, she said, “Usually location scouts have to do a song and dance to get in the door. When I found out we just had to do songs without the dancing, I was in! We brought a lot of joy to the residents today.”
Choir children attended courtesy of me, Auntie Jill (who negotiated their presence by giving false hopes of seeing Santa distribute bikes to everyone who showed up.)
To join in next year’s fun you don’t have to be a singer, a rocker, or even an elf (though it helps to wear a funny hat!) Just contact the LMGA Philanthropic & Outreach committee, put a smile on your face and come have fun!
Click here to view a video about MTPF programs and services, which just so happens to include a few members of the location community. http://www.mptf.com/about