“The Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) fully embraced its identity as a Community Performing Arts School during the holiday season, and focused on the ways we could make a difference in local towns surrounding the school. During the month of November, PAS held a food drive in partnership with the Little Flower Food Pantry in Berkeley Heights. Throughout the month, members of the Wharton Arts community dropped off non-perishable food items and toiletries in the PAS lobby. By the end of the collection period, the Wharton Arts community collected over 85 pounds of food that was donated to the Little Flower Food Pantry shortly before Thanksgiving.
Continuing in the spirit of giving, PAS held a holiday toy and gift drive in partnership with Cherished Creations, a Berkeley Heights-based nonprofit committed to improving the lives of seriously ill and underserved children. During the first weeks of December, Wharton Arts students, families, and staff donated toys and other items for children of all ages that were then distributed to five different family service centers in New Jersey. The toy and gift drive culminated at the Holiday Cabaret, which truly brought the spirt of giving to the annual festive performance.
Additionally, PAS’s adult ensembles brought the joy of music into senior living communities in November and December. The Wharton CAFÉ (Creative Aging for Everyone) Choir, directed by PAS voice faculty Susan Kirkland, with collaborative pianist Peter Hill, performed for the residents of Juniper Village at Chatham, an assisted living and supportive independent living facility. The CAFÉ Choir and the Adult Harp Circle, directed by PAS faculty Diane Michaels, also performed in a concert in December at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights. These performances for were meaningful opportunities for our adult learners to share their musical gifts with other in the community.” – Debra Joyal, Director, Performing Arts School