The season of gratitude has arrived in the Prescott area along with chilly fall weather. At this time of year people prepare for the freezing temperatures of winter. It’s also when the warmth of community steps up to provide assistance to those facing challenging circumstances.
Donations given by audience members at the annual Celebration of Thanks concert help support local nonprofits with emergency winter shelter and meals for local unhoused residents. The free evening event, hosted by the Quad City Interfaith Council (QCIC), marks ten years of music and dance performances, and readings from the many faith communities and nonprofits of Yavapai County. All goodwill offerings from the audiene help sustain programs by the Salvation Army Prescott Corps, Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS), A Safe Place in Prescott Valley, and the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ).
In the past the Interfaith Council collected money for service agencies and disbursed funds for projects like Operation Deep Freeze. QCIC now asks that donations be made directly to these partnership agencies to streamline the funding process. Participating faith organizations take turns hosting the Celebration of Thanks concert. This year it takes place on Thursday, November 21, 6-7:30pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane in Prescott, off Highway 89 near the airport.
Faith Relations Liaison Christine Mack of Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity has been involved almost since the inception of QCIC, although after ten years she has stepped back for personal and family reasons. “We didn’t use the word ‘member.’ We called ourselves ‘participants,’” Mack said about the core group of volunteers that came together after a winter tragedy.
“A gentleman had frozen to death overnight in Prescott, and we said this is unacceptable. At the time, there were no services for men, only women and children,” Mack explained. “We wanted to see that no one died again in this community.”
The first Celebration of Thanks concert was a fundraiser to help pay for additional staff for the Salvation Army, which agreed to shelter men when nighttime temperatures dropped to 32 degrees. This program, Operation Deep Freeze, ran annually from late October through March. When the Salvation Army developed its own program, QCIC decided not to duplicate efforts, and used its funds for additional organizations in the community, Mack said. QCIC now is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, with bylaws and officers.
In addition to Habitat for Humanity and the shelter services listed above, QCIC partners include faith organizations such as Sacred Heart Catholic Church, United Methodist Church, Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and St. Luke Christian Center Ministries.
QCIC Chair Pastor Kendra Hobson of St. Luke Christian Center Ministries said the concert is one way multiple faiths and groups can express thanks to their higher power. While there is no goal for funds raised each year, over ten years the program has attracted nearly $100,000 in donations.
“We are just asking the community to give their best love offering,” Hobson said, adding that they are also collecting at the door non-perishable items for food banks, and warm clothing such as coats and socks.
QCIC volunteers meet monthly, which to Hobson feels like visiting with an extended family. “To me, it just feels like more of a connection to a community group; I want to say like a little family, almost. There is a connection I get when we have readings, speakers, get clarification, meet up and talk.”
She said there are minimal requirements or obligations for volunteers. The benefits outweigh any cost or any output, she added. “We are always accepting new members. If interested, they can call me.”
Pastor Tricia Lowe of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley said that when she arrived in the area six years ago she wanted to become more active in local ecumenical groups. “I have a real strong desire to be involved in all kinds of interfaith groups,” she said.
“Before Thanksgiving it’s good for us to get together and talk gratitude. It’s a common denominator of every faith to express thankfulness and gratitude. And it’s a great start for the holiday season,” Lowe said about the Celebration of Thanks concert. Lowe said that till recently Prescott Valley had no place for unhoused people to get out of the weather, find something to eat, or clean up.
“A Safe Place opened in August. It’s a new drop-in center on 2nd Street. It’s a daytime center for homeless folks, and has a lounge area, food, shower facilities, computers.” Till the organization can find more volunteers, it is open only for limited daytime hours two days a week.
So many organizations are doing their bit to keep people nourished. For instance, Emmanuel Lutheran and St. Germaine Catholic churches each share two Friday lunches monthly with people in need. “We’ve been doing this free meal for over twelve years,” Lowe said. “We used to have 75 people. This last one we served 319 meals. So you know the need is great.”
This year’s concert program will feature brief readings from sacred texts. Musical groups include Carl Brehmer, guitar, Baha’I; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Prescott Family Choir; Prescott Interfaith Choir; Sacred Heart Singers, Sacred Heart Catholic Church; and St. Luke’s Handbell Choir, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
A refreshment reception and time of fellowship follows the concert.
“All are welcome to come enjoy the Celebration of Life concert. Please come out and celebrate and bring someone with you to enjoy this night of gratefulness and thankfulness,” Hobson said.
The Celebration of Thanks concert takes place on Thursday, November 21, 6-7:30pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane in Prescott, off Highway 89 near the airport.
Music and dancing groups interested in performing at the concert, and anyone who wants to volunteer or who has questions, can call Pastor Kendra Hobson at 480-606-8609.
