Voices of Hope reaching $1 million in donations Saturday
Voices of Hope reaching $1 million in donations Saturday!
ANDOVER — At first they sang to remember, now they also sing to celebrate.
Local nonprofit and production company Voices of Hope will hold its annual check presentation at 7 p.m., Saturday, at the group’s “Nest” at the Ballard Vale United Church, 23 Clark Road.
The check will push the group above the million dollar mark in its fight against cancer. Voices of Hope has been singing and raising money since 2009.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Greg Chastain, founder of Voices of Hope, said.
Funds raised by the group go directly to the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies.
Guest speakers Saturday night will include Dejan Juric, head of the Termeer Center; Casandra McIntyre, head of nursing at Termeer; Erika Rosato, head of nursing MGH Cancer Center; Jonathan and Susan Zuker, Conquer Cancer Coalition; Jordan Rich, WBZ Radio; State Reps. Adrianne Ramos and Frank Moran.
Voices of Hope also has an upcoming production of “Hello, Dolly!” at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly on April 13 & 14. The production is based on Thornton Wilder’s comedy “The Matchmaker” and follows matchmaker Dolly Levi while she meddles in the love affairs of others while pursuing a match of her own, according to a press release from Voices of Hope.
Chastain’s first production for the group came after losing his mom to pancreatic cancer, as a way to give back to the community.
“Supposed to be a one-time show,” he said. “It has exploded since then.”
Last year the nonprofit held two sold-out shows of “The Music Man.”
The group will also be receiving congratulatory messages via video from figures including Cheryl Bentyne, from The Manhattan Transfer; Dave McGillivray, the founder and president of DMSE Sports, Inc. and the race director of the Boston Marathon; Johnathan and Patti Kraft; and Sam Kennedy, the president Boston Red Sox.
The group’s donations over the years have been in concert with large strides in medical progress that have prolonged the lives of many.
“Since we have started working with MassGeneral, they brought 24 FDA approved therapy drugs to market,” he said. “We are a huge part of that.”
Their donations also fund nursing scholarships at the hospital
In addition to the concerts, Voices of Hope also holds a summer youth program. The program lasts for five weeks and sees about 20 participants, said Chastain. He said students learn a show as well as theater skills, life skills and about philanthropy.
They also fund a ride share program to transport patients to the hospital.
Chastain has a photo of his mother at the studio where Voices of Hope rehearses productions.
“She is a constant reminder of why we do this,” he said.
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