Three Performances Planned of Mrs. Edison's Hymn Sing

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jan. 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Celebrate the Edison Festival of Light and help feed the hungry by attending  Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing  Tuesday, Feb. 9, at The First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street.

It’s the 27^th anniversary of the hymn sing, which is organized and sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.  Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, three performances are planned at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.   The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Admission is free, but because of the increased need for food for the hungry, organizers are requesting that those who attend bring cans of non-perishable food and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.

“We need to help The Soup Kitchen by donating as much canned goods and cash as we can to help families who most need it in our community,” said Sam Galloway, Jr., founder of Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing.

Community Cooperative provided food and other services to 10,250 people last year.  “There are even more families who need our help.  Do what God would want you to do and give what you can,” said Rev. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church.

Community Cooperative was started by First Presbyterian Church in 1984 to help alleviate hunger and suffering in Lee County.  The church has continued to support its ministry there by providing volunteers in The Soup Kitchen and delivering hot meals to home-bound seniors.

Galloway, who originated the hymn sing in 1989, said he wanted to do something to honor Mrs. Mina Edison during the Edison Festival celebration.

“We hear a great deal about the wonderful work of Thomas Alva Edison, but we don’t do a lot to honor his wife who also volunteered a great deal of her time and talent to making Fort Myers what it is today.  This hymn sing is a way to honor her good work too,” Galloway said.

This year’s event will feature the First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir and many other singers, including members of the Mastersingers, Guest Soloists, along with a Piano-Organ Combination.

Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing is the first of three hymn sings sponsored annually by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.  The other two are First Celebrates Freedom in July and the very popular Christmas Carol Sing in December.  All three events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.

For more information or directions to the church, call 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.  For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.ccmileecounty.com.

About Community Cooperative

Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. The agency provides more than 14,000 meals each month through its Community Cafés, Community Marketplace, and Community & School Mobile Markets as well as Meals on Wheels programs and offers homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.

A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves the greater Fort Myers area with campuses in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach and mobile services in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, and Lehigh Acres. Community Cooperative works in close partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the School District of Lee County as well as collaborating with fellow community and service groups, churches, businesses and community support organizations.

About First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, located at 2438 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers, is a community of faith, celebrating a loving God.  First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1901 and continues to be an integral part of Lee County by presenting some of the area’s most well-attended events, such as Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February as part of the Edison Festival of Light, First Celebrates Freedom in July, and the Christmas Carol Sing in December.  All three events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which also was founded by First Presbyterian Church in 1984.  Services are offered Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistive equipment also is available.