On Fri., March 14, abbey west will be hosting the annual “Night of Hope,” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Starting in 2011, this event will follow a tradition of over 10 years for a celebration of the arts and the hope we have in Jesus. 

To kick off the night, four singers and songwriters will be performing a combination of covers and original music. Starting at 5:15 p.m. with music by junior Amy Held, followed by seniors Ana Carvalho at 5:35, Darian Trujillo at 5:55, and Kaity Bills at 6:15. After each 15-minute set, taking place in the Student Union, there will be a brief spotlight on a selection of local nonprofits. 

Part of the Night of Hope is intended to “inspire all of us to think about how it is that we can be bringers of hope in the midst of the world,” said campus Pastor Quinton Anderson. To take action, attendees are encouraged to participate in the night’s service project benefiting Charity on Wheels. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to getting those experiencing homelessness and poverty off the streets and on the road to self-reliance. 

The service project will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the breezeway, where guests are invited to help prepare hygiene kits to be distributed by the nonprofit. “Help & Hygiene Kits” is one of the organization’s key avenues of service; their goal for the evening is to pack at least 500 kits for those in need. 

This event will also feature Director of the Center for Worship Leadership Rev. Steve Zank and Concordia alumnus Blake Flattley as a musical duo. Their set, starting at 7 p.m., will transition the night towards the Amphitheatre in preparation for the main concert.

Founder of Charity on Wheels, Zach Southall, and his band, “Streetcorner Revival,” will be playing from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This group has dedicated its music and proceeds to directly benefit initiatives of the Charity on Wheels Foundation. 

“Interwoven with that,” said Anderson, “will be stories of how hope is being brought to the homeless in Orange County through Charity on Wheels.” Following this will be more time to pack hygiene kits for the organization. 

Admission is free and open to the public. Those unable to attend are encouraged to consider donating to the hygiene supplies by purchasing items from their Amazon Registry. Those interested in contributing can do so by visiting https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/ITA1H5COLJFW. 

Tags: abbeywest, faith, Alexander Carr, Performing Arts, Visual Arts

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