Singing for soldiers: senior citizens raise money for Wounded Warriors

A Bay Ridge senior citizen performance group hosted a USO-style concert on Saturday, June 27 and raised over $500 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Brooklyn Theater Wing for Seniors welcomed more than 30 people to the performance at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Fourth Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway.

A cast of around 15 actors and actresses imitated a USO canteen and dressed like soldiers, hostesses and ordinary citizens from the 1940s while they acted, danced and sang songs from the era.

“I really feel we have to do more for veterans,” the show’s director Cathy Lemmon said. “If there’s any way—like counseling—our money helps the veterans, it’s worth it.”

The church shared the hall for the group to use for the afternoon show, which raised around $560 through a $10 ticket charge and extra donations from some guests.

In addition to raising money for soldiers and veterans, the Theater Wing also operates as a facilitator for senior citizens in the area by providing venues where they can sing, dance and act.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Judy Parris, the group’s publicity agent who also performed in the concert. “I love to sing and dance.”

“I thought it was wonderful,” David Vann, a Staten Island resident, said about the show. “[It was] very patriotic.”

“I love the show,” said Michelle Ferrara, who lives in Bay Ridge. “I think it’s fantastic.”

Maureen Beale, one of the show’s producers, said that the cast had rehearsed for the past three months.

According to her, two years ago in a similar show the group raised $2,000 for the church and another $1,500 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

 

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