Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Patriot Day Concert continues tradition of grassroots giving
OXFORD » On Sept. 9, at 3 p.m., a Patriot Day Remembrance will be held in Oxford.
Each September since 2005, this unique event has taken place in Oxford. The emotions of the day will run the gamut from solemn remembrance of one of the darkest days in modern American history, to joyous celebration of American music and visual arts provided by the Friendship Quilters. There will be a time to thank and recognize members of our Armed Forces and, of course, a time for the audience to sing along.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the afternoon is the reception of a freewill offering. The proceeds of this offering are shared by the Oxford United Methodist Harvest of Talent and one other local service agency. Through the years, beneficiaries have included the Oxford Public Library, Union Fire Co. No. 1, Chester County Meals on Wheels, Divine Sent Food Cupboard, Lighthouse Youth Center, Oxford Police Gift Fund, and the Disabled American Veterans, to name a few.
While the gift to each agency has not been excessively large, the act of giving the gift promotes the essence of the American spirit and heart: to give what we can to help our neighbors in need. Among the most poignant memories of those days following Sept. 11, 2001, are the images of people helping people: Americans giving what they could, no matter how little, to ease the suffering of a fellow American.
This year, the offering will be shared between the OUMC Harvest of Talent, and La Comunidad Hispana, serving Oxford and neighbors in southern Chester County since 1973. LCH believes in the power of integrated health, behavioral and social services to change lives and strengthen the community. As southern Chester County’s only Federally Qualified Health Center, they provide care to all regardless of ability to pay. For 45 years, LCH has provided culturally responsive services to all members of the community. Learn more at www. LaComunidadHispana.org. The costs associated with the concert are all donated free of charge so that 100 percent of the offering can be given to the designated agencies.
A Patriot Day Remembrance concert and community sing along is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. The afternoon concert, organized by The Oxford Trio, will be held at the Oxford United Methodist Church, located at Market and Addison Streets in Oxford. This afternoon is in keeping with former President George W. Bush’s 2002 Patriot Day proclamation in which he calls upon the people of the United States “to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils.”