Bala Cynwyd Middle School’s grade-level choir ensembles performed several pieces at their recent Spring Concert centering on the importance of helping others. Inspired by the hopeful, service-related themes in songs like Bruno Mars’ Count on Me and Alicia Keys’ Underdog, the Knights vocalists decided to organize a pair of charitable initiatives in a concerted effort to help those-in-need!

Following their fantastic performances, students in Anne Sterner-Porreca and Bob Elias’s choral classes didn’t miss a beat as they immediately began working diligently on their respective projects. Sterner-Porreca’s sixth grade singers found their rhythm as they collaborated to collect toiletries and other essential items, which were then organized and sorted into “Blessing Bags” that were later donated to a local homeless shelter. Meanwhile, Elias’s students turned their attention to a virtual food drive and fundraiser benefiting Philabundance. Through their campaign, the Knights raised well over $1000, which will provide more than 2,000 meals to families facing food insecurity in the Greater Philadelphia area.

One item of note found in all of the Blessing Bags was a journal. The students took time to thoughtfully decorate each one with colorful, creative designs and hopeful lyrics from some of their favorite songs. To see a series of images of the Knights in action, click through the slideshow below!