Holiday Concert on Dec. 12 to Benefit Interfaith Hospitality Network

By Ken Sherman

Callie Waller, a local soprano and an active member of the business and civic community, will perform in concert Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Athens First United Methodist Church (AFUMC). Accompanied by pianist Greg Kirby, the holiday concert will benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Athens.  The concert is titled “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” 

While admission is free and open to the public, an offering will be collected for IHN, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide immediate shelter and support to homeless families with children.

“Our primary purpose in presenting this concert is to raise awareness for the vital, important service that IHN provides the citizens of this community,” said Waller, who also serves as president of the board of IHN.  “Certainly, performing classic Christmas favorites and a new piece or two will be an added benefit.”

Waller has performed with the Athens Choral Society and is a member of the Athens First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir and Chamber Ensembles.  She is a local realtor with Athens Classic Properties.  In additional to her volunteer work with IHN, she is active in her church’s Youth Ministry and is involved in David C. Barrow Elementary PTA and School Council.

The Waller and Kirby will perform sacred and secular selections including O Holy Night, Gesu Bambino, White Christmas, as well as the concert’s titled selection, I’ll Be Home For Christmas. 

The Mission of IHN Athens is to mobilize the community to help homeless families in crisis situations achieve sustainable independence. It is the goal of IHN Athens to give homeless families the opportunity to stay together as a family and provide the time and resources to get back on their feet.

IHN Athens is a coalition of Athens Area Churches and Congregations of Faith, referred to as Host Congregations or Support Congregations that may provide shelter, meals, and support for homeless families in crisis for up to 90 days.  Host Congregations, on a rotating basis, provide 3 meals a day to Network Families.  Each network family is provided with their own room within the Host facility. 

For more information on the concert, contact Callie Waller or Ken Sherman.  For more information on IHN, click here.