Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing set for Feb. 3
A tradition of more than three decades will take place again next month at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers, as an official sanctioned event of the Edison Festival of Lights.
The 36th annual Mrs. Edison’s 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.
“One is packed solid and 4 (o’clock) is packed full,” said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong, of First Presbyterian Church
Although admission is free, organizers are requesting that attendees bring cans of nonperishable food, or voluntary cash donations, if possible, to benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café of Community Cooperative.
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.
“Her high school was across the street. They didn’t have an auditorium,” he said. “Mina Edison was a methodist, a member of a church kitty corner at the Methodist Church, now it’s gone and is an apartment complex.”
deJong said Mina Edison was very interested in children learning musical instruments, being involved in the arts and singing hymns.
The Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing is a tribute to her.
The hymn is a “very simple” event featuring local talent singing hymns that Mina Edison enjoyed and were popular in her day.
“My favorite part is at the end,” deJong said. That’s when he travels to the side doors and sees smiles on the attendees faces. They say “thank you for holding it year after year.”
The great part of the hymn sing is it is for a cause, raising money and food for Community Cooperative.
“It’s 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,” he said.
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.
“As a pastor of a downtown church, Community Cooperative’s presence is so important and helpful for us as a church and me personally,” he said.
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.
“It’s so helpful that I have a place to send someone. I can say ‘I can help you. Go here and get help here,'” he said.
deJong said Sam Galloway used to say, “I believe a desperate parent will do anything to find food for his or her child. I don’t want that desperation in my community. Community Cooperative is really helping everyone by meeting that need.”
For more information about the hymn sing, call (239) 334-2271, or visit fpcfortmyers.org.
For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP, or visit www.communitycooperative.com.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com