Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) hosted a Piano Recital and Gala Event on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the University of Redland's historical Memorial Chapel located at 1200 Colton Ave., Redlands, CA 92374.
The Event featured Two Piano Journey, a remarkable mother and son piano team from New York City; Master of Ceremonies Bryon Russell, a former Lakers Star; and the Community Agency Legacy Awards for outstanding community service.
Michelle and Christopher Kuo are Two Piano Journey, an international award-winning mother and son ensemble. They performed this concert as a benefit to the CAPSBC Food Bank as part of the agency's 2018 Gala event. Hundreds of guests were in attendance, including several groups of low income children. In a true display of musical philanthropy, the audience was wowed with a rare cultural event that would otherwise be out of reach for many in attendance. The event successfully helped raise funds for food insecure residents of San Bernardino County and will support over 40,000 needy families being served each month at no charge by the CAPSBC Food Bank.
CAPSBC's benefit recital was Two Piano Journey's 8th performance this year on their 10-city tour to support charitable food programs across the country. The concert was a matinee performance of the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff played on two baby grand pianos set in butterfly (face-to-face) position to achieve acoustic perfection. The historic University of Redlands Memorial Chapel is a special acoustically designed venue which also houses a rare fully functional Casavant Pipe Organ. Two Piano Journey’s next stop will be Carnegie Hall in New York City on October 27, 2018 benefitting the nonprofit, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine.
CEO Patricia L. Nickols-Butler commented, “It was a great honor to showcase Two Piano Journey who gave an incredible performance. We were grateful to partner with such wonderful philanthropic talent who share our mission. The Kuos were not only willing to help our fellow community members who are food insecure, but also to give at-risk youth a chance to be inspired by their beautiful music, arts and culture. Two Piano Journey has committed to returning again next year to grace our communities with their music and help support the CAPSBC Food Bank. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have such wonderful support of our mission.”
M.C. Bryon Russell kept the Gala lively and generously donated his signed Lakers Jersey, player cards and signed basketballs to auction off in support of the event. Community Action Legacy Awards were given to the following:
· Venny H. Newman Humanitarian Award: Dr. Margaret Hill
· Legislative Advocate Award: Assembly Member Eloise Gómez-Reyes
· Community Partner Award: SB Pastors United
· Helping People Changing Lives Volunteer Award: Dolores Armstead-Robinson
· Spirit of Hope Achievement Award: Francisca Tousely
The event was a wonderful show of support by those who are working tirelessly to help people and change lives in San Bernardino County. CAPSBC has been serving the disadvantaged with programs, services, resources, and advocacy since 1965. The mission to make our communities a better place to live for all of us continues.
The CAPSBC Food Bank traditionally holds a holiday basket project for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, they partnered with 66 agencies throughout San Bernardino County distributing 109,318 pounds of food to those in need at no charge. Overall the CAPSBC Food Bank serves 356,438 households annually with over 14 million pounds of food. On-going support of the CAPSBC Food Bank is critical as 26% of our children live in poverty.