On Saturday, December 15, 2012, the Botetourt County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department sponsored a bus trip to the taping of the PBS televised show Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. Forty nine people from the Roanoke area traveled by motorcoach to the taping which is televised on 190 PBS affiliates.
The fraternal organization of Modern Woodmen of America (MWA) agreed to match up to $700 of the amount raised by the participants of the trip for the non-profit organization www.songofthemountains.org. Ernie Dale of Roanoke who organized the trip and the donation was able to present a total of $1,775.00 during the evening to Tim White, Executive Director of Song of the Mountains and Tom Howard, President of the Board for Song of the Mountains.
Ernie also arranged for Lifesong, of Roanoke, to do the 45 minute pre-show on the stage of the Lincoln Theatre prior to the main show at Song of the Mountains. Lifesong consists of Joe and Shanda Copolo and Eli Burke, all of Roanoke.
On February 13, 2012, the group, headed by Dale, held a Valentine Banquet at the Roanoke Rescue Mission. This raised $3,600 for feeding the homeless. In addition, they have also volunteered to serve meals at the Rescue Mission and at Roanoke Area Ministries. Other causes this year have been the Make A Difference Day at Feeding America and the Veterans Day Concert by Lifesong and dinner at Bojangles on November 12.
During the past year, MWA has provided $54 million in contributions to non-profit organizations and community service activites.
