Work of alumni, students continues
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A new foundation, Expressions in Harmony, continues the efforts of Norwin High School students and alumni to provide for child victims of domestic violence.
Cheryl Walter, who worked for 19 years as director of choirs and music department chairwoman at the high school, said she was at a meeting of the alumni board of Carlow College in fall 1998, when she was told Christmas stockings were needed for children living at Hearth Transitional Housing for Women in Pittsburgh.
The Hearth program provides temporary housing of up to two years for women and children who have left violent situations. It also helps women to get their GEDs and go into training programs, or go to college so that they will have the job skills to live independently.
That first year, in 1998, Norwin chorus and choir students collected money during caroling to benefit the children at Hearth -- and made stockings for them. When Mrs. Walter called to see when they should bring the stockings, a woman at the shelter was upset that a group expected to perform for the children's Christmas party had canceled.
Mrs. Walter came to the rescue by bringing Norwin's show choir to sing. Ever since, the Norwin High School choruses have put on a Christmas party and sung for children at the shelter.
When Mrs. Walter retired in June, she realized she could no longer run the charity from the high school. But with the help of new Norwin choral director Bridget Faulk, the program has continued.
"I think it's a great way for our students to reach out,'' Ms. Faulk said.
Attorney Jim Duffy of Circle-ville helped Mrs. Walter set up a nonprofit to accept and distribute money from the new Expressions in Harmony Foundation.
This Christmas, former Norwin student Josh Gongaware and the Saint Vincent College chorus also raised money for the foundation, as did a Norwin alumni choir made up of 10 former students who were home from college.
Since November, the new foundation has raised about $7,000 for children at the Hearth shelter, Mrs. Walter said.
This Christmas, the project benefited 22 children at Hearth. Each child received a matching hat, glove and scarf set, and a $100 Target gift card.
The charity also puts on an "Unbirthday Party" for children at the Hearth facility every May.
The new charity has a Webpage on Facebook under Expressions in Harmony Foundation. Contributions can be sent to: Expressions in Harmony Foundation, 10199 Lavonne Drive, North Huntingdon 15642.
First Published January 19, 2012 12:00 am
