'Love Notes': Amherst Club's annual benefit raises funds for neighbors in need
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Some folks go out of their way to help others.
The Amherst Club is a case in point. Every year around this time, the organization hosts a musical fundraiser called "Love Notes" that benefits organizations that offer various forms of assistance to local people. Proceeds from the shows are given to non-profit agencies that help the Amherst community meet important health and welfare needs, said Ruth Miller, the publicity chair for the Amherst Club. Over the last 28years, the Amherst Club has raised over $310,000.
"Every ticket sold helps someone in need," Miller said."That, to me, is the main thing we try to get across with this event."
This year's show will be held Feb. 19 at Amherst College.
According to the group's website, The Amherst Club, founded in 1983, includes people living or working in the Amherst area who are interested in "enhancing the quality of life for themselves and their neighbors. Their efforts, aimed at community betterment, include supporting social service, cultural, and educational activities in the area."
Ten years ago, the group started a fundraising casino night that eventually transformed into "Love Notes," the annual musical celebration that includes a range of music from Bach to Beethoven, and Broadway to the blues. Miller says the shows are designed to appeal to audiences of all ages. Held each year around Valentine's Day, the word "love" in the title adds to the Valentine's-Day atmosphere, Miller said, while "notes" refers to the featured musical acts.
Plenty of talent
"The Amherst area is blessed with talented musicians, artists and writers," Miller said, and most are happy to donate their time to the fundraiser. "We never run out of people who want to participate."
Among the performers this year will be The Valley Five, an all-female brass quintet.
"We all feel that the Amherst Club is raising money for great organizations," said Jean Jeffries, who leads The Valley Five. "We wanted to perform in 'Love Notes' because we like the cause."
This will be the group's first performance at the annual event. The Valley Five's centerpiece performance will be George Gershwin's "An American in Paris." The group will also perform "New York, New York," "Tin Roof Blues" and "My Heart, Ever Faithful."
"All of the pieces are exciting in their own way," Jeffries said. "We picked pieces that are enjoyable, varied and interesting that go along with the 'Love Notes' theme."
Other musical acts on the bill are the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chamber Players, the Amherst Regional High School Chorale and pianist Estela Kersenbaum Olevsky.
In addition, there will be a presentation by Norton Juster, author of "The Phantom Toll Booth," who will read from his children's book "The Odious Ogre." The book's illustrations by Jules Feiffer will be shown during the reading.
"It's always for a good cause," said Juster, who has participated in "Love Notes" in the past. "It's going to be a good evening."
The afternoon will be hosted by state Sen. Stan Rosenberg and state Rep. Ellen Story. A champaign reception will follow the show with local hors d'oeuvres, desserts and a performance by the Gypsy Wranglers.
Plenty of need
This year, the Amherst Club received 20 requests for help from local organizations, including one from the Amherst Senior Center to help with emergency fuel assistance for the elderly. Grants for 12 causes were ultimately decided upon, including the one from the senior center, as well as from the Amherst Family Center, Safe Passage, the Greenfield Community College Foundation, the Amherst Survival Center and the Hampshire Health Connect.
"We try to sort out who has the most urgent need for health and safety," Miller said. "We think its important to do whatever we can for people who might just be a block away."
Miller says she expects the club will raise between $12,000 to $15,000 this year, from donations, tickets sales and sponsors who place ads in the program. Past fundraisers have sold out quickly, she added, filling Buckley Recital Hall to its 500-person capacity.
"Part of the fun for club members is reaching out to people in the community and knowing that we are all working for something good," Miller said.
"Love Notes" will be presented Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. in Buckley Recital Hall on the Amherst College campus.
Tickets cost $20 for the concert; $40 for the concert and champagne reception. Preferred seating and a mention in the program can be had for a donation of $55 to $75. Tickets are available at A.J. Hastings in Amherst, by calling 253-5179 or online at www.amherstclub.org.
