Meet the volunteer leaders of the Weinberg Senior Center’s wonderful 50-person Chorus Group! This talented group was started when two community members saw an interest and need in our senior center and decided to volunteer their time to put together a singing group, that could spread joy throughout our center. For the past three years the Chorus has grown to 50 members, meeting weekly and sharing their voices at numerous performances at MCC. During this difficult time of separation, the group has been staying connected to each other through their active WeChat and continuing to find ways to practice and share their music. We are so proud of our Weinberg Chorus Group and their amazing commitment to each other and the community even in these challenging times.
1. Which volunteer opportunities are you apart of at MCC?
The leaders of the Weinberg 50 Piece Chorus Group
2. What brought you to volunteering at MCC and how has your experience been?
Me and my Husband have always been Singing fans! But we really just started out as Members at the Weinberg Center. Going to our daily exercise classes and for lunch! One day we were talking to our friends who were also singing enthusiast, about how great it would be to be able to sing along with one another in this beautiful place! From that idea me and my husband became more and more passionate about making that dream a reality! So we reached out to the program staff about our dream and sure enough it has become what it is today!
3. What is your favorite part about volunteering?
All the joy and laughter I get to see from everyone’s faces, every time we do what we like best! Singing!
4. Do you have a favorite story or anecdote from volunteering at MCC or in the community?
Every time we get to perform and all the cheers and applauses, we get at the end really brings us joy! Because it’s a reassurance and testament to the hard work we as a chorus group put in! And that helps keep our sprit up to continue our volunteer work!
5. What is your favorite at home self-care activity you have been practicing during this time (or maybe one you’ve always been doing)?
What we have been doing is using WeChat as portal to our fellow chorus group members as a way to continue to practice! Throwing up song sheets, videos and voice recordings of our sessions. We really hope to be able to come back to the center and sing and preform for everyone at Weinberg!
As a changemaker, volunteers are part of a movement of engaged New Yorkers taking action to strengthen Lower East Side and beyond. Our spotlight series provides an opportunity to share the stories of why community members get involved, what they gain from the experience, and the impact they are able to make at the Manny Cantor Center and in the community. Thank you to all who choose to come through our doors to help build the neighborhood we want to live in.
If you are interested in volunteering or getting involved with us here at Manny Cantor Center, we have opportunities available for a variety of schedules and interests. Learn more about being a Volunteer Changemaker at MCC here.
