Singing to support a cause

Giving back to the community that supports them is important to members of the Voice of the Desert Chorus. The chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, entertains across the Northwest Valley, from the Sun Cities to Wickenburg and as far as Anthem.

Directed by Joanna Moyer of Sun City West, the group is the 2008 First Place Small Chorus winner for its region. It has acknowledged its responsibility to the greater community by performing holiday sing-outs at area retirement centers, nursing homes and memory care facilities, a benefit concert for Glendale Family Development Center and last year, participating in Relay for Life Surprise.

"We sang the national anthem at the beginning of the event, then also performed just before the memory lap," said Brenda Parker, the chorus' team coordinator. "It was a very special event for us," she said. "We have cancer survivors in the chorus, and just about all of us have had cancer touch someone in our families."

Though not able to participate in this year's relay April 25-26 - the chorus will be in Pasadena, Calif., for regional competition that weekend - Voice of the Desert Chorus will give back by performing a benefit concert to raise funds for Eve's Place, a domestic violence shelter in Surprise.

Sponsored by Credit Union West, the concert will be at 3 p.m. April 19 in Rio Vista Community Center at Rio Vista Park, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria. The chorus will perform numbers from its 1940s-inspired "Canteen Memories" show, a set of patriotic numbers and will preview the songs it will be performing at regional competition. Quartets from the chorus also will perform, previewing competition numbers as well.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Children under 13 are admitted free when accompanied by a parent. To purchase tickets in advance, call 602-252-4477 or send a check for the cost of the number of tickets desired to Eve's Place c/o PMC, 10000 N. 31st Ave., Suite C102, Phoenix, AZ 85051.

Domestic violence is a topic scrutinized in national press reports, often having a celebrity face, such as Nicole Brown or more recently, Rhianna. Studies have shown than there is no stereotypical victim. While once it was believed that younger women were most often victims, Eve's Place also has helped older women and last year, the first male victim came to Eve's Place for help.

The organization has opened its first transitional house, where families can live for 18 months. It helps women who are working, but who cannot afford rent and utilities. It is the next step to independence after the Safe House.
Like most social programs, Eve's Place fears the impact of budget cuts on its ability to provide services and safety. The nights of service - when a women and her children stay at the Safe House - have increased every quarter.

"Eve's Place is fortunate to have wonderful community support. I hope as we move forward, you will all continue to attend our fund-raising events," said Executive Director Laura Horsley. "These funds are used to directly fund the Safe House. Donations of money, time and gently used items are all welcome and can be used to offset program costs."

For information about Eve's Place, visit the Web site, www.safetyatevesplace.org.

For information about Voice of the Desert Chorus, call Brenda Parker at 623-546-5862 or visit the Web site, www.voiceofthedesertchorus.org.

Claudia Sherrill may be reached at csherrill@yourwestvalley.com or 623-876-2511.