High School student holds successful benefit concert for VOCA Camps
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Lenore Morrisson (503) 338-2473 or Margaret Frimoth (503) 338-2378
High School student holds successful benefit concert for VOCA Camps
Astoria High School student Sam Coffey used his musical talent to raise $650 for local non-profit organization Victory Over Child Abuse (VOCA) Camps.
Coffey, an avid cellist, chose to put on a benefit concert in late January for his senior project. Another portion of the proceeds went to Clatsop Community College’s Arts & Ideas, which sponsored the project and helped with publicity and coordination. At the concert, Coffey performed on the cello and conducted the Astoria High School orchestra.
“It felt good to use something that I’m good at to help the community,” Coffey said. He explained that he chose to donate the proceeds to VOCA because he attended a VOCA benefit event several years ago but didn’t have any money to give at the time.
“I got in anyway and felt kind of bad about it,” he said. “I decided to keep them in mind, and when my mom suggested that I put on a concert for my senior project, I decided to do a benefit for VOCA.”
VOCA Camps are our community’s response to the devastating issue of child sexual abuse. There are two annual camps, one for girls and one for boys. The camps, the first of their kind in the nation, have won several national awards, including the Governor’s Volunteerism Award, Children First Award, Women of Achievement Award and an honorable mention in the U.S. Congressional Record. The camps are administered through a non-profit organization, the Healing Circle, in partnership with Clatsop Community College, Tongue Point Job Corps and Clatsop County United Way.
“It’s such an honor to have someone approach VOCA Camp and offer to hold a benefit,” said VOCA Director Margaret Frimoth. ”We really run on a shoestring budget—this was a wonderful gift.”
Clatsop Community College Arts & Ideas coordinator Lenore Morrisson was also pleased with the event, which packed Astoria’s Performing Arts Center.
“Sam produced an absolutely wonderful evening of music,” Morrisson said. “The PAC was alive with teen spirit and I look forward to working with more high school students as they work to satisfy their senior/Pacifica projects.”
A volunteer introduction to VOCA Camp will be held at CCC’s South County Campus April 27-28, 2007. Participants at the free training will be provided with an overview of the VOCA program and given the opportunity to explore the volunteer program. For more information about VOCA Camps or the volunteer introduction, please contact Margaret Frimoth at (503) 338-2378.
Astoria High School student Sam Coffey presents a check for $650 to Margaret Frimoth, coordinator of Victory Over Child Abuse (VOCA) Camps. Coffey held a benefit concert, sponsored by Clatsop Community College’s Arts & Ideas, to raise money for the local non-profit organization.