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UTICA — For 15 years, the Joy to You Project has collected, purchased and donated needed items for local women’s shelters. Each December, the organization has put on a holiday concert, called “Joy to You,” featuring local professionals to raise money and collect supplies.
Barbara Ogar, who has produced this event for 15 years, said this year’s concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 45160 Van Dyke Ave. in Utica, will feature special guests and also a bake sale and shop, which will benefit many local organizations. This is to be the last Joy to You concert.
“This year’s program features two Detroit Symphony musicians that are rarely heard as soloists, Ukrainian music, talented youth, a variety of singers/instrumentalists, a Grammy-nominee and more! We’ll also have a Bake Sale and Gift Bazaar. Through the years, the project has donated to multiple organizations, including Turning Point, Trinity Lutheran’s SSS program (Supper, Sack Lunch and Shower), MCREST, Abigayle Ministries, Haven, and the Salvation Army,” Ogar said via email.
She said they will also donate to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees who now live in southeast Michigan.
Ogar said she read that the “Joy to You” concert was “Macomb County’s best-kept secret.”
“We hope it won’t be a secret anymore. It’s a wonderful way to start the holiday season, and it helps out people who are going through a rough time right now. We’d love to see you there,” she said.
The holiday concert has always featured professional musicians, talented youth, and dancers. This year’s concert lineup features the following musicians and groups:
• Kimberly Kaloyanides Kennedy, Detroit Symphony Orchestra associate concertmaster.
• Hannah Hammel Maser, Detroit Symphony Orchestra principal flutist.
• Todd Moses & The Macombers.
• Lydia Cleaver & The Cass Tech Harp & Vocal Ensemble.
• Mike Zawojsky, Grammy-nominated accordionist.
• Barbara Ogar & the Joy to You Flute Choir.
• Detroit School of Bandura.
• St Paul’s United Methodist Church Wesley Ringers handbell choir.
• The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church Children’s Choir.
• Carla Hudgens, organ.
• Amanda Sabelhaus, piano.
• Rochelle Bannon, hammer dulcimer.
Janet Silvestri, who has been a great supporter of the concert and seen it from all angles — as an audience member, performer and designer of printed programs — said she got involved because her daughter, Rachel, was a member of the Barbara Ogar Flute Choir.
“After Rachel left the choir, I took her spot and played for several years. I have also designed the Joy to You program and fliers for many years, which is truly a labor of love. This year I’m also baking cookies for the Bake Sale and performers, which I’m really excited to do! The reason I keep coming back is that I see the good that this concert has done in our community. Music education is so important, and this concert gives the students an opportunity to showcase their talent for a good cause. Having professional musicians donate their time and talent is also very inspiring,” she said in an email.
She said the donations that come in for the women’s shelters in the tri-county area make a difference.
“I want to be involved in whatever Barbara Ogar wants to do with her time and talent, because it’s always for good! Especially now, we need more good in this world,” she said.
Tickets to the concert cost $15 for students and $20 for adults. Organizers ask that attendees bring a donation for an essentials basket, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and tissue.
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