NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA VOCAL ENSAMBLE
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On Saturday Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., the Orillia Vocal Ensemble will present “The Joy and Wonder of Christmas,” a concert to raise much-needed funds for Orillia Central Preschool.
The OVE partners with a local charity for each of their concerts. Admission is by a freewill collection with all proceeds going directly to the partner charity. Using this model, the OVE has raised more than $200,000 for local charities since 2011. Last year’s Christmas concert raised $20,200.00 for the Sharing Place Food Centre.
This is the first time the OVE has partnered with Orillia Central Preschool (OCP) and members of the choir are very impressed with the services they provide to local families and their children.
OCP daily hosts over 300 children from 1 month to 12 years of age in their programs. In addition to the before-school and after-school programs at Orchard Park, OCP South (Oxford Street) and OCP North (Laclie Street), they recently opened two more locations at Uptergrove Public School and Rama Central.
The Orchard Park location also offers care for school-age children during school closures, including P.A. Days, Christmas break and March break, as well as a growing summer camp program that hosts over 150 children during July and August.
Families with young children face many challenges in today’s economic climate. For so many working parents, securing affordable, reliable and safe childcare is very challenging and stressful. There are roughly 400 families currently on OCP’s waiting list.
In a meeting with choir members and Music Director Blair Bailey, Program Supervisor Jennifer Kitchen shared OCP’s dedication. “We believe that, through intentional play, children are encouraged to form positive relationships, make choices, and participate in a full range of activities. Our program is designed to enhance children’s development in all areas, while fostering self-esteem and encouraging both independence and cooperation in an environment that is positive and free from coercion.”
Kitchen added that they would like to incorporate more music into their daily programs and the OVE is excited to support their goals.
The OVE is also grateful to our Christmas concert sponsor, Thor Motors, and Season Sponsor, John Mayo and Associates, for making our choir’s work with, and for, the community possible.
Join the Orillia Vocal Ensemble and special guests, the Orillia Community Children’s Choir for an afternoon of festive music—and share “The Joy and Wonder of Christmas.” Mark your calendars: Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North in Orillia.
For more information, visit our website at Orillia Vocal Ensemble.
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