Singing earns money for Alternative Breaks
The melodic voice of Detroit junior Sam Prater could be heard resonating through the Towers Tuesday evening in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
Prater, backed by guitar and keyboard, performed singing telegrams from 7 to 10 p.m. for students throughout the complex as part of a fund-raising effort.
Songs were performed for $3 and each student could choose from a list of numerous Valentine’s-related songs, including the Temptations’ “My Girl,” Heatwave’s “Always and Forever” and the popular duet “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Prater went from door-to-door to serenade students along with Chesterfield senior Henry Vanloon on guitar, Detroit junior Myron Shorter II playing the keyboard, and Benton Harbor sophomore Michelle Brooks accompanying vocals.
Couples were not the only ones taking advantage of this Valentine’s Day gift. Grand Haven sophomore Aaron Nash was one of the first to purchase a singing telegram when he bought a song for his friend Julie Shade, a Davison junior.
“She is single,” Nash said. “I decided to do something nice for her.”
The goal of Prater’s fund-raising effort was to raise enough money for transportation to New York City, where Prater and a group of his friends plan on volunteering during spring break.
“We go around every year and do hot meals for HIV/AIDS patients,” he said. “This year we are going through the five boroughs of New York.”
