To the Editor:

On Saturday, February 2, at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, a group of over 120 young choristers lifted up their voices in song at the Sing with Us! concert that benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County. The concert epitomized the idea of children helping children.

This amazing group of young singers, in middle and high school (grades 6-12), came from area community music organizations and houses of worship including Princeton United Methodist Church, Princeton Area Homeschool Choir, Nassau Presbyterian Church, American Boychoir, and The Trenton Children’s Chorus. Also lending their considerable talents and passion to the evening were a group of five young music education students from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, as well six students of the Westminster Conservatory.

The singers were led by nationally recognized composer and song leader Nick Page, who has put his unique creative stamp on the model of the sing-along, bringing the chorus and the audience together this night to sing powerful songs from around the world in celebration of many styles and cultures. Accompanying Nick and the chorus were pianist Philip Orr and bassist Sam Ward.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to so many who made this exceptional night happen. Led by co-chairs Sue Ellen Page of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Janet Perkins of Princeton Girlchoir, the Sing with Us! planning team of Lauren Yeh, Lori Woods, Yvonne Macdonald, Maureen Llort. and Denise Hayes made possible a very successful concert, the second in Nassau Presbyterian Church’s acclaimed Nassau Arts series. Also due special thanks are Nassau Presbyterian’s sound engineer, John Baker, and Debbi Roldan, a congregant, and tireless member of the CASA board.

The free will offering taken at the concert raised $2475 to benefit CASA of Mercer County. CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children in Mercer and Burlington Counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. The mission of our program is that through trained community volunteers, these children will be assigned an advocate in court to ensure they receive needed services while in out-of-home placement and ultimately, a permanent home as quickly as possible.

With our spring training for child advocates just around the corner, we welcome those interested in making a difference in the life of a child. Visit www.casamercer.org or call (609) 434-0050 for information on upcoming one hour information sessions.

Randall Kirkpatrick

Director of Community Development,

CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties, Ewing