By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Haddonfield Sun
The first fund-raising effort of a local foundation will help benefit a Haddonfield family with a young daughter who is struggling against leukemia.
Rose and Carlton Chin’s Play it For Good, a local non-profit organization, is holding a concert on Saturday, April 24, at the Presbyterian Church to raise money for the Strobel’s, a local family whose daughter Mia, 7, is fighting against leukemia. Headlining the concert will be Yonitte Ryger, a Julliard School-trained violinist. Julia Chin, a violinist in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s string ensemble, will also be performing.
Tickets for the event are a suggested cost of $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $40 for families. Donations will also be accepted at the event as well, Rose Chin said. Advance ticket sales would cost $15 for adults, $8 for students, and $35 for families.
Mia Strobel was diagnosed with leukemia and a heart defect four years ago. She was forced to endure months of chemotherapy, two heart surgeries, and a bone marrow transplant during this span, foundation representatives said. In August 2009, just before entering second grade, Chin said Mia’s leukemia returned.
Mayor Tish Colombi suggested the Play It for Good Foundation organize its first event for the Strobel’s.
“I am reminded again of the goodness of this community. Rose and Carlton Chin, relative newcomers to our community, are stepping forward through their foundation, Play it For Good, to offer an evening of music to raise funds that will benefit the Strobel family,” she said. “I believe every family in town can put themselves in the Strobel’s shoes and want to help in some way. This is a great opportunity for our community to support Mia Strobel and at the same time hear some beautiful music. I hope the concert will be successful and other musicians will be able to learn more about the Play It For Good Foundation.“
Ryger is an accomplished violinist who began performing solos by her eighth birthday. According to the foundation Ryger entered The Juilliard School of Music at age 10, where she studied with Margaret Pardee and Lewis Kaplan for a total of nine years. During her time at Juilliard, she served as concertmistress for several years and won the Juilliard Concert Competition and the Competition for the Performance of Contemporary Music.
She has performed dozens of concerts in Lincoln Center and other major international concert halls as soloist, chamber musician, and concertmistress.
Ryger and Shin should provide a great show for a great cause, Shin said.
“It will be a great family event and a great cause in support of the Strobel family. It’s going to be a great win win for the community,” she said.
Play It For Good is a non-profit corporation that was conceptualized in 2008 and organizes benefit concerts. The goal is to work with young performers who want to “do good” and help deserving causes, Shin said. Young artists gain presentation skills through performance, she said, as well as leadership through initiative, and character development through volunteerism.
For more information on the event please call the foundation at (646) 450–7434.
