Small miracles happen every day, but it is always a thrill to see them unfold. Songs For Bethune began as a far-fetched dream, a "what-if" moment in the brain of Sander Roscoe Wolff, Executive Director of LongBeachCulture.org. "What if we made a CD of holiday songs by local artists," he mused. "What if it could benefit a really wonderful local charity?" Such moments often come and go without ever being fulfilled but this was, somehow, different.

Within a week of the "What-if" moment, his business partner, Richard Berger, mentioned that he'd served as Principal for a Day at a wonderful place called the Mary MacLeod Bethune Transitional Center for Homeless Children. This seemed a likely candidate for receiving support. A few days later, Sander got a call from Sally Rich, the manager of Karma Studios. She was looking for a way to promote the studio. Was she willing to donate some time for a good cause? Yes!

Suddenly, the "what-if" was looming large. A few phone calls to local artists and the process was underway.

Over the course of the next year, Sally and Michael Rich donated more than 100 hours of their time to record and mix the music tracks. At the same time, Sander began to look for a way to funnel the anticipated funds to the Bethune Center. After a few wrong turns and false starts, the Public Corporation for the Arts [now the Arts Council for Long Beach] stepped up to the plate. Their wonderful program, Passport to the Arts, employs local artist professionals to work with at-risk students, and their teachers, to help the kids learn the value of art as a healthy form of self expression. Would they be willing to include Bethune in their program? Yes!

So far, the CD has raised more than $2000, enough to fund workshops at Bethune and its host school, Hudson. With your help, we plan to raise even more and, with these funds, create regular art workshops at the Center.

Songs For Bethune is on sale now!

Hear samples from all 11 tracks.

Learn more about the people and organizations involved.