USC Aiken
Community Concert Celebrates the Season, Benefits ACTS
Aiken, SC (11/06/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken joins community musical groups for the sixth annual Harvest Home concert, Sunday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at St. John's United Methodist Church, located at 104 Newberry Street, in Aiken, S.C.
Admission is free, but attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item in lieu of the admission cost. A goodwill offering to benefit ACTS will be taken during the concert.
"The arts have a responsibility to serve," said Dr. Joel Scraper, the chairman of the visual and performing arts department on campus.
"If we, as artists, can raise awareness of charitable organizations, such as ACTS, and help these organizations provide to those in need, then it is a worthy endeavor."
The Harvest Home concert features a collection of American hymns and folk songs celebrating Thanksgiving. The program features the USC Aiken Concert Choir and community performers, directed by Scraper.
ACTS - or Area Churches Together Serve - is a non-profit organization made up of churches, organizations and individuals who provide assistance to families in the community. Longstanding services provided to neighbors in need include food, clothing, utility and medical assistance, housewares and furniture. The organization now also offers childcare and transportation programs.
"Many people in our areas are within one paycheck or less of financial trouble. Many need food clothing, warmth, prescription medications, home furnishing or additional assistance," according to the ACTS website.
"ACTS' mission is to partner with churches, organizations and individuals to provide assistance to our neighbors in need, in the name of Jesus Christ." said Suzanne Jackson, executive director.
"ACTS is grateful for Dr. Scraper and Keely Rhodes with the Masterwork Chorale Festival Chorus, Christopher Nash, and Catherine Stapleton Nance with St. John's United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for sharing their extraordinary talents during the Harvest Home concert."
Jackson added that ACTS thanks the performers and community for coming together to share a performance that supports the organization's mission of helping individuals and families in need in our community.