Care to carol? Annual holiday event seeking singers Dec. 18
Santa shows up every year, and so does Vincent Leinen.
For the 37th consecutive year Leinen, a UNO graduate, will stage the annual Omaha Holiday Caroling on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 pm at the Nebraska Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (7410 Mercy Road). He is seeking singers and musicians of all talent levels to take part in the event, which includes carols and fresh flowers for the center’s residents.
“We want to bring happiness and joy to the elderly residents and at the same time instill a heightened awareness in the carolers that they should be more appreciative of what they have in life and what they might take for granted,” says Leinen, choral director and event organizer.
Participants are invited to meet in the main lobby of the Nebraska Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18 for refreshments and to receive their music book. The group will begin caroling at 2:30 p.m.
The event, which will include an estimated 200 participants, is free and open to the public. Immediately following the caroling all participants are invited to socialize over refreshments at nearby Godfather’s Pizza (2117 So. 67th St.).
Leinen also stages similar caroling traditions in Los Angeles (30th annual), Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Phoenix, New York and elsewhere. The caroling dates to the mid-1970s when Leinen joined the St. Mary Catholic Youth Organization in Dow City, Iowa, to sing at rest homes. He continued that tradition while attending UNO, and he’s still at it today, now involving his fellow UNO graduates.
“The earliest OHC Festivities started with attending UNO and is a very rewarding and enjoyable opportunity to bolster joy, happiness and the holiday spirit for both the elderly community and participants,” Leinen says. “We have the power to make a difference and impact the world to make it a better place.”
For further information on any of the caroling outings, contact Leinen at (818) 342-9336 or email him at bd754@lafn.org. More information, photos and articles are available at www.holidaymusicmakingadifference.com
Download a press release of the event for more information.