Hope Twinkles
Guests visited the Collegedale Commons to hear music and support the school that was devastated by hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama, Bahamas. String students from Collegedale Academy (grades K-12), along with students from Southern Adventist University and community members joined together for a “string-a-thon,” dubbed Hope Twinkles. The goal: raise funds for the hurricane devastated Grand Bahama Academy in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas.
Grand Bahama Academy sustained damage in Hurricane Dorian. Structurally, the school lost a portion of its roof, and the computer classroom completely flooded, ruining not only the furniture but all the computers, as well.
What is harder than the building and equipment damage are the losses sustained by faculty and students alike. Three of the teachers lost everything, from houses and personal belongings, to family members. The 4th grade teacher spent the two days of the hurricane clinging to her young children on top of her roof (the safest place left to her), while her husband clung to the neighboring palm tree. They survived, but lost everything, including the teacher’s mother-in-law.
A large percentage of the student body is in a similar state, and they cannot pay tuition bills. The school could send them home, but first, they really have no homes to go to, and second, the school feels it is their duty to care for these children, even if they cannot pay. Without tuition, the school cannot pay the teachers, but they feel strongly they should not make the teachers lose their jobs when they have lost literally everything else. So, the teachers stay on, and the school is struggling to find salary money for them. Insurance will help with the school rebuild. There are no resources to replace lost tuition. Grand Bahama Academy is functioning as best as they can despite its losses.
“Our students wanted to help somehow, but musicians don't typically have money to give," said ellen Francisco, Hope Twinkles coordinator and area strings instructor. "We have time, and music, and the ability to share that with others. So, we donated time and effort, notes and beauty, and the community turned that into money for us to give away.”
Several string teachers in the area supported the idea, and encouraged their students to raise money by collecting both donations and pledges. The pledged amounts were for per 15 minutes a student played. The students outdid themselves.
The current total is $7,803 and there are still donations coming in. In the 10 hours of playing time, the students, parents, teachers and community members logged a collective 144 hours of playing time.
The primary instructors for the day were Tami King, CA strings teacher, and Mrs. Francisco. Additionally, 24 other teachers from across the greater Collegedale and Chattanooga area had students who were involved. Throughout the day 132 people played, CA music teachers, Mr. Lindquist and Mrs. King, as well as parents of CA students.
Parents donated food for the players, David Barto provided Collegedale Commons as his donation, “for which we are extremely grateful,” said Mrs. Francisco.
This is the third “Hope Twinkles” event held by the area’s string community. The previous two events benefited hurricane relief in Puerto Rico through ADRA, and rebuilding Redwood Academy's music program after the academy burned to the ground in the California wildfires.
Funds are still being collected. To be a part of this community wide effort, please bring donations to the middle school building at Collegedale Academy for Tami King to collect.
Checks can be made to the Samaritan Center who is kindly channeling the funds to Grand Bahama Academy.
Hope Twinkles