TFO musicians collect toys and more for families
By Anna Kate Mackle, Principal Harp
For the third year in a row, The Florida Orchestra
musicians are collecting toys and other items for
Tampa Bay families in need. Each December, the
musicians partner with Toys for Tots Foundation
to collect toys, games, books, stuffed animals
and sports equipment at TFO concerts. This year,
for the first time, they also will team up with the
St. Pete YMCA’s Neighbor to Neighbor program,
which provides a Christmas tree, ornaments, toys,
a holiday meal and YMCA memberships and afterschool
THE SYKES CHAPEL CONCERT ARTIST SERIES
2017–18 SEASON
FOUR CONCERTOS BY J.S. BACH
Four works for various solo instruments with
orchestra. A delightful afternoon of music by Bach.
Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA HOLIDAY CONCERT
UT Chamber Singers, Camerata, with Brass.
Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 and 4 p.m.
PAUL JACOBS, ORGANIST
The first solo appearance at Sykes Chapel
of this Grammy Award-winning artist
promises to be an exciting event.
Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m.
www.ut.edu/sykeschapel
www.facebook.com/sykeschapelconcertartistseries
401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606-1490
THE FLORIDA OR CHESTRA | 2017-2018 35
sports activities to families in need. The
musicians have generously offered to provide live
music for the families and volunteers at the toy
distribution event.
The Florida Orchestra musicians are committed to
finding ways to give back to their community, and
they feel strongly that it is important to help make it
possible for every family to celebrate the holidays.
“When this time of year comes around, starting
with Thanksgiving, it reminds me how fortunate I
am, and that thankfulness to God should be every
day,” bassist John DiMura said. “So many children
are not as fortunate, and Toys for Tots gives us an
opportunity for giving back the joy we have had.”
Violist Alison Heydt agreed: “Receiving a toy can
give a child hope and joy,
especially if that child
has been having a
tough time. Food,
clothing, shelter
-- these are all
necessary to life, but
so are hope and joy.
Music feeds the soul,
too, so I guess that’s
why this particular
cause is close to our
hearts as musicians.”
An annual tradition since 2015, the musicians’
toy drive has been tremendously successful,
due to the generosity of not only musicians and
their families, but TFO staff, Board and audience
members as well, who collectively have donated
over 1,000 toys. The 2017 toy drive will run from
December 1-17. Collection boxes will be available
at TFO offices and lobbies of performance venues
in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater for
Masterworks (Dec. 1-3), Coffee (Dec. 6 & 7) and
Holiday Pops (Dec. 15-17) concerts. Everyone is
welcome to donate a new, unwrapped toy. For
more information, please follow TFO Musicians
on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit
FloridaOrchestra.org.