Most people who know me don’t realize that I’m a singer. A shower singer, a dishwasher emptying singer, a dinner cooking singer, and, occasionally, a karaoke star. I’ve loved music and especially singing since I was very young and discovered that I could actually hold a tune. My parents were huge Motown fans, and my dad often sang to me when I was small, so it wasn’t a stretch for me to break into song. In high school, college, and in my pre-mommy days, I dabbled into musical theatre, performing in school and community shows. The stage was my favorite place to be.
Even though I had decent pipes, I had two left feet. Our high school musical choreographer had to majorly water down the dances in order for me to play Rosie Alvarez in Bye Bye Birdie. Unfortunately, my dancing skills haven’t improved; my kids love to remind me of this anytime I’m jamming to a random 80’s rock song that comes on the TV music channel I listen to while I cook. These days, my husband and I are avid Broadway nerds, driving up to the Big Apple at least twice a year to see the new shows then singing the scores the entire way home. At least I can still sing, even if I can’t dance.
Our kids love music and the stage as well, and the older two perform and sing on stage at Act One Theatre School, a local program I can’t talk enough about. Through Act One, my kids have learned confidence, teamwork, and so much about acting. They’ve also made great friends, and when one of our act one buddies invited our family to watch her perform at a local charity event, we were in. I didn’t know what the charity was, but I was super excited to watch Maggie perform outside of the Act One Stage. Turns out, the event itself touched my heart and inspired me to give and sing and give some more.
The story behind Sing Sing Give! is pretty amazing, and once I realized exactly what type of fundraiser I was attending, I saw that it was way more than just a talent show and karaoke party. Our friend Maggie’s private voice teacher, Melody Molinaro and her good friend Jacqueline Smathers own a karaoke party business called Sing Sing Sing. These two amazing women organized Sing Sing Give! in order to raise money for a family in Nepal who’d lost their home to the recent earthquake.
Fifteen or so years ago, when Melody was visiting Kathmandu, her wallet was stolen. After a harrowing bout of trying to work with corrupt local police, she was basically stuck, alone and with no money or identification, in a foreign land. When a 10 year old little girl named Yasu approached her and offered one hundred rupees (her life-savings,) simply because she wanted to help, Melody didn’t realize that Yasu’s kindness would one day come full-circle.
In April of 2015, Nepal was hit by a deadly earthquake that killed over 8,000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. When Melody heard of the tragedy, she immediately thought of the little girl who had selflessly come to her rescue so many years ago. Melody was miraculously able to find Yasu on Facebook. When she discovered that Yasu’s family’s had lost their home, she desperately wanted to do something for the - now - adult girl who’d once helped her. Melody created a gofundme account and was able to raise nearly two thousand dollars to get Yasus’s family off the streets and into a makeshift shelter. Her goal with Sing Sing Give! was to raise another $5,000 for the family to use to begin building a new home.
Twenty or more pupils from the studio where Melody teaches voice were able to perform for the event, which took place At Jergel's Rhythm Grille in Wexford, PA. Our Maggie Allwein, all decked out in purple sequins and a top hat, pulled of a phenomenal performance of Frank Sinatra’s New York New York. There was a Chinese auction with great prizes and local vendors selling jewelry and art to support the cause. Melody’s band – Melody LaRue, and Jackie’s band – the Yolos, performed, as well as a few other talented local bands. To top off the fun, there was audience karaoke, and, halfway through the afternoon, I found myself under the lights, microphone in hand. My good friend and I chose to belt out one of our favorite songs from Grease, and, I have to admit, it was fun to be on the stage. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
For the next few days, I found that I couldn’t stop thinking about Sing Sing Give! and the amazing story behind it. Not only was it a testament to the fact that you never know where your ripples of kindness might make a wave, but it truly spoke to selfless giving. How could Yasu ever have known that Melody would provide the help her family would desperately need in the future?
She didn’t.
She just helped a stranger in need, and in that moment, she lit a fire of generosity that burns in Melody now and in Jackie and in all of the others who helped to make Sing Sing Give! such a wonderful event.
In fact, Yasu lit a fire in me too.
Sing Sing Give! raised $3200.00 toward its $5000.00 goal. I’d like to help Melody continue to support Yasu and her family in Nepal, so I’m posting her gofundme link below. I hope some of you will consider donating! More information about Melody and Yasu’s story as well as pictures can be found there too.
https://www.gofundme.com/katuwalfood
I believe we are all gifted in some way, and once we find out what our talents are, we have the privilege to use them for good. Melody and Jackie’s gifts are music, and it tugged at my heartstrings to watch them use that talent to help a very special someone in need through Sing Sing Give! (Plus, I really dug the karaoke too ;) )
Awesome band - The Yolos - featuring Melody and Jackie,
singing one of my favorite Indigo Girls Songs, Closer to Fine.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10