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Singers Help Samaritan Group

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: November 5, 2008

Members of the Artists For Humanity singing group will raise their voices to help the Zephyrhills community at an upcoming benefit concert.

The singers with accompanying pianists will perform songs from musicals such as "Phantom of the Opera," "My Fair Lady," and "Gypsy," along with some golden oldies from performers like Frank Sinatra during the concert Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

Dolores Riego de Dios, coordinator and founder of the singing group, said her group does a few benefit concerts a year. She said the group, which is made up of very talented singers and pianists, has raised money for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and for individuals like those who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

"We will be singing music that lifts away people's troubles and cares," Riego de Dios said. "Most of the songs are classics that we are hoping will make people feel happy and light-hearted. It is great we get to help people while also doing something we love, performing music."

The concert will benefit the Zephyrhills charity, the Samaritan Project. Through the Samaritan Project, Zephyrhills residents can get help from a group made up of city government, the business community and area churches.

Jan Slater, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, said the project is there to help the people in the community.

"We are trying to meet the benevolent needs of the Zephyrhills community," Slater said. "We want to be a one-stop shop. This is basically a resource bank so residents can get help whether it is with electric bills, water bills, food, clothing or children's needs like diapers or food."

For those Zephyrhills residents who seek assistance, the chamber will first check to make sure the person is truly in need and then determine what those needs are. Slater said the system is in place so no one can abuse it and so that people can get the help they require.

"If we can't help them, then we can get them the help they need," Slater said. "We have donations from local businesses and churches and we have contacts with some of the county-wide programs. It is not just about helping right now, it is about helping in the long term."

Slater said she was very happy when she heard the Artists for Humanity would help out the Samaritan Project, which was founded in Zephyrhills in June. Since then the organization has helped at least 100 people.

"We have already helped so many people in the community, but we need more funding if we are going to continue," Slater said. "We have been turning people away right now because we don't have the funds. We are hoping to raise enough to be able to keep helping people."

The cost to attend the concert is $15 which includes gourmet desserts and coffees. For more information, call (813) 782-1913.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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