My name is Jerry Goochee and I live in Chesapeake, Virginia. My hometown is Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. I remember it as a place like most small town communities across America: Connecting families, friends, and businesses alike, to a shared set of values and beliefs. Neighbors knew each other by name, jobs were plentiful and church choirs were singing God’s praises.
Today, the community and many towns in the area are suffering from an economic downturn. Some of the factories and businesses are closing, family farms are disappearing and the rising costs of everyday goods and services are putting a strain on the area. Even church communities share in this burden.
Although the communities are slowly but steadily gaining momentum, I thought I would share my heart concerning an event that will help restore the community, churches and the choirs within them. It will take place in Port Allegany, PA and will encompass a sixty-mile radius. It will not only spark enthusiasm among the different towns and people, but it will also rekindle a spirit of hope and worship in the churches through their choirs and help renew the communities. The name of this event is: Festival of Choirs USA®