A tradition of more than three decades will take place again next week at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers, as an official sanctioned event of the Edison Festival of Lights.<\/p>\n
The 36th\u00a0annual Mrs. Edison\u2019s Hymn Sing will take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second St. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne is packed solid and 4 (o\u2019clock) is packed full,\u201d said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong, of First Presbyterian Church\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although admission is free, organizers are requesting that attendees bring cans of nonperishable food, or voluntary cash donations, if possible, to benefit Sam\u2019s Community Kitchen & Cafe of Community Cooperative.<\/p>\n
deJong said the hymn was the brainchild of Sam Galloway, as he was heavily involved at the Edison Estates. He said Galloway took a fancy to Mina Edison, as she did a lot to bring the arts to the area. Her high school diploma is showcased at Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer high school was across the street. They didn\u2019t have an auditorium,\u201d he said. \u201cMina Edison was a Methodist, a member of a church kitty corner at the Methodist Church, now it\u2019s gone and is an apartment complex.\u201d<\/p>\n
deJong said Mina Edison was very interested in children learning to play musical instruments and was involved in the arts and singing hymns.<\/p>\n
The Mrs. Edison\u2019s Hymn Sing is a tribute to her. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The hymn is a \u201cvery simple\u201d event featuring local talent singing hymns that Mina Edison enjoyed and were popular in her day.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy favorite part is at the end,\u201d deJong said. That\u2019s when he travels to the side doors and sees smiles on the attendees faces. They say \u201cthank you for holding it year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The great part of the hymn sing is it is for a cause, raising money and food for Community Cooperative.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a nice feeling when you bring a can of SpaghettiOs, a box of mac and cheese that kids will eat in the next couple of days. Cash goes further, Community Cooperative can buy things more cheaply,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The event also acts as nice exposure for Community Cooperative, which relies so much on volunteers for their Meals on Wheels and food preparation and distribution at various outlets, deJong said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a pastor of a downtown church, Community Cooperative\u2019s presence is so important and helpful for us as a church and me personally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
deJong said when individuals come to him with needs that he cannot meet, or beyond their capability, he can send them to Community Cooperative, which is full of caring and loving professionals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so helpful that I have a place to send someone. I can say \u2018I can help you. Go here and get help here,’\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
deJong said Sam Galloway used to say, \u201cI believe a desperate parent will do anything to find food for his or her child. I don\u2019t want that desperation in my community. Community Cooperative is really helping everyone by meeting that need.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about the hymn sing, call (239) 334-2271, or visit\u00a0www.fpcfortmyers.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP, or visit\u00a0www.communitycooperative.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n