Annual Holiday Chorale is Sweet Music and Big Success

The Learning Experience of Manalapan/Freehold, announced earlier this week the incredible success of their school’s community coming together in the spirit of giving back at the Fourth Annual Holiday Chorale and Art Sale and Auction.

The major event took place to a packed house with more than 400 in attendance on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2013 at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor. The school’s annual chorale is much more than a showcase of students singing, tapping, dancing and twirling to a collection of songs for the holiday season. Each year the event raises funds for a charitable organization as part of the school’s overall philosophy of philanthropy and humanity.

Past recipients of the funds raised include New Jersey School for the Deaf, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, Autism Speaks and The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. This year, the students, who rang in ages from infant to 6-years-old, helped other children just like them but who are struggling from tremendous losses.

The show was perfect timing in the wake of the disasters of Hurricane Sandy that affected many Monmouth County families and children. The chorale program raised money for K.I.D.S., Kids in Distressed Situations, www.kidsdonations.org.

Karen Rosen Co-owner of The Learning Experience of Manalapan explained, “We delicately brought the mission to the classroom to turn it into a humanity lesson and cautiously shared the impact of Hurricane Sandy on their friends. I love hearing the children’s stories about their personal fund raising efforts and I’m deeply touched when a student brings in their own piggy bank for the cause – which we of course immediately return to the parents! I am honored to play a role in our students’ education whether they plan to pursue pre-med, pre-law or philanthropy. This may be pre-school, but it’s the beginning of something new every day here at our school. It is very special to see how our program has come together.” 

The students through different appeals raised money for K.I.D.S. during the entire month of December with the big push-taking place at the holiday chorale. The event opened with a meet-and-greet reception where handmade artwork projects were sold to guests. Tables adorned with more than 300 pieces of child made arts and crafts were sold for $0.50 - $2.00.

The students of The Learning Experience of Manalapan worked for weeks on their special projects and eager parents purchased the artwork knowing the funds were going to a good cause.