Students carol for cans

Oak Harbor High School Choir students hope to spread some holiday cheer among shoppers this season by “Caroling for Cans.” Their good deed doesn’t stop there. As their voices carry over the hoards of seasonal shoppers, their collection of canned food will find its way into the homes and hungry tummies of Oak Harbor’s most needy families.

December 4, 2009 5:06 pm
Oak Harbor High School choir students share their talents as they “Carol for Cans” outside Saars Market Place Wednesday afternoon. The event is part of an annual fundraising competition at the high school.
Oak Harbor High School choir students share their talents as they “Carol for Cans” outside Saars Market Place Wednesday afternoon. The event is part of an annual fundraising competition at the high school.

Oak Harbor High School Choir students hope to spread some holiday cheer among shoppers this season by “Caroling for Cans.”

Their good deed doesn’t stop there. As their voices carry over the hoards of seasonal shoppers, their collection of canned food will find its way into the homes and hungry tummies of Oak Harbor’s most needy families.

“The choir students are not required to carol for cans and they don’t even do it for extra credit,” said Darren McCoy, choir director. “We do it because we believe that nobody should go hungry and it is a great way to support our community.”

The students have a busy holiday concert schedule this year.

On Friday, Dec. 11, the high school choirs will perform at the new OHHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. The concert is free, but donations are accepted and will go to the North Whidbey Help House.

Guest performers include an eight-member caroling group with Choir Director McCoy, Choir Accompanist Chet Hansen and his wife Laurie, Booster Club President Missy Peckenpaugh and her husband Kent and daughter McKenna (a student accompanist), Olympic View Elementary Music Teacher Sharon Erickson, First United Methodist Choir Singers and Bell Ringer Ron Ernst. The students will also accept canned food or monetary donations at the concert.

On Tuesday, Dec 15, the Treble Choir, a group of 46 female students, will sing for North Whidbey Middle School, at First United Methodist Church, Summer Hill Assisted Living and Olympic View Elementary. They’ll perform pieces such as “Santa Baby” and “Jingle All The Way,” a spoof on jingle bells and the Holiday Season.

Contact Oak Harbor High School Choir Director Darren McCoy for more information at 279-5490.