The final tally from a special joint initiative by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Fabulous Fox on Wednesday, July 9 revealed that more than $350,000 was raised to help those impacted by the May 16 tornado.
The sizable donation was the result of a June 29 pay-what-you-wish benefit concert featuring gospel veteran BeBe Winans and an online donation campaign.
“We are grateful to our friends at the Fabulous Fox for opening their doors wholeheartedly to host the June 29 concert, and to our friends at The Muny for their strong support,” said Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO. “This collaboration is a shining example of what the community can achieve in the face of adversity through vision, teamwork, and unity.”
Funds raised will support the Urban League’s Disaster Relief Fund, providing critical assistance to those affected by the May 16 tornado in north St. Louis, including nine churches in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program.
“The Fabulous Fox and its owners are truly honored to have been part of the benefit concert alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Urban League,” said Jeff Antrainer, The Fabulous Fox President & CFO. “It was incredibly moving to see our community come together with such heart and generosity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who showed up to support our neighbors and help bring hope and healing to those affected by the tornado.”
The June 29 concert, led by SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève, and Kevin McBeth, director of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, featured the SLSO and members of its two resident choruses—the IN UNISON Chorus, which specializes in the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Many of the singers in the IN UNISON Chorus come from SLSO partner churches in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program. Grammy Award winner BeBe Winans also joined the orchestra and choruses for an uplifting performance. The program included music of reflection, hope, and resilience, as well as a moving tribute to Patricia Penelton, an IN UNISON Chorus charter member who died in the tornado.
Pay-what-you-wish concert ticket purchases generated $100,000 in addition to $250,000 in donations directly to the Urban League, with another $150,000 pending as challenge grants. Leadership gifts came from Noémi Neidorff, BSI Constructors, Nancy and Walter Galvin, and the Steward Family Foundation.
The generous gifts will support the most immediate needs of people displaced or impacted in north St. Louis following the May 16 EF-3 tornado – and will be applied to efforts such as large-scale food distribution, temporary hotel housing, necessities such as toiletries and personal care items and emergency building supplies.
A portion of the funds will also support partner churches damaged by the tornado in the SLSO’s IN UNISON program, which has connected congregations primarily in north St. Louis to the orchestra for more than 30 years.
“We are tremendously grateful to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Fabulous Fox, and The Muny for standing with us during this time of crisis,” said Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO. “Their generosity and partnership have not only raised over $350,000, but also renewed hope for families, churches, and entire neighborhoods working to recover and rebuild. This inspiring collaboration is a shining example of how the arts can unite a community in compassion, purpose, and action.”
The Urban League continues to accept donations to the Disaster Relief Fund directly through its website, www.ulstl.com/donatenow.