Marsh Foundation to Host Second Annual Concert to Benefit Local Food Pantries

VAN WERT, Ohio – On Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m., The First United Methodist Senior Choir will perform a free concert in The Marsh Auditorium. The highly-talented local choir will cap off a month-long program on The Marsh campus entitled; Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution. The afternoon will also include tours of the historic Marsh family Homestead.

George, Hilinda and Katie Marsh left a strong legacy by being compassionate and helping the less fortunate in the Van Wert community. Hilinda, especially, left behind writings that were very spiritual in nature. In her funeral memorial it was quoted, “Many were the days when she went about in her well-provisioned carriage, helping the sick and needy, in the very joy of her Master who went about doing good. In the church [she was] a humble and conscientious follower of the Christ; a leader for years in the Ladies’ Society of the church. Our sense of loss is deep; we shall ever hold her services in grateful remembrance.” The Marsh Foundation continues to build on and carry out that legacy. Activities on April 1 are designed to honor the Marsh family and the legacy that they left behind.

Admission to the concert is free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected will then be donated to Van Wert area food banks. The choir is the adult group that serves choral musical needs for the 10:45 a.m. worship service at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. The choir is under the direction of Paul Hoverman for the 19^th year. The accompanists are Gloria Wendel on organ and Annette Hoverman on piano.

The choir has a rich tradition of excellence in music. Under L.W. Schaufelberger, the choir traveled and sang in England. In 2001, under Hoverman, the choir traveled to New York City and sang at St. John the Divine Cathedral under Dr. Simon Carrington, founder of the King's Singers. In the past, the choir has made several recordings and has commissioned numerous choral anthems which have been published and are sung around the world.

Currently, the Senior Choir is comprised of approximately 42 volunteer and professionally trained singers. Although they are primarily a traditional choir, they often blend spirituals, jazz, contemporary and gospel music and incorporate a variety of instruments to compliment the various styles of music they sing. The Mission of the First U.M. Senior Choir is Psalm 40:3, "He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."

For those interested in learning more about the Marsh history and seeing the preserved Homestead, tours will be open to the public following the concert. Ron Bagley, former Marsh Foundation director, will be leading tours at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tours are free and on a first come, first served basis. They will last approximately 30 minutes.

Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.

The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.

###

Photo caption: The First United Methodist Senior Choir from Van Wert will perform at The Marsh Auditorium on Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m. Concert admission is free with the donation of non-perishable food items for our local food pantries.