A Manitowoc high school student who already has a long track-record of volunteerism and service toward others is this year’s Barbershop Harmony Award winner.
Lia Haile, who will be an 11th grader at Lincoln this Fall, received the honor from the Clipper City Chordsmen earlier this week. The Chordsmen seek nominations of “those special Individuals who’ve made Manitowoc County a better place through their service” in the community.
Haile’s wonderful example got started in 2012 when she was only 9-years old. While helping deliver donated items to Hope House, she found out that nothing special was being done for ‘children’ who were celebrating a birthday in the shelter. Lia & 2-friends were inspired to start the “Hopeful Hearts Club” to organize personalized, unique birthday parties for those children.
Since then, the idea has grown beyond just birthday parties and Lia now makes & distributes Welcome Bags to every child at Hope House. The Hopeful Hearts Club also provides monthly family events & holiday dinners for families staying there and, during the last 12-months, Haile has collected & distributed more than 2,000 pounds of food, 5,000 school supplies and 1,000 cold weather items.
The harmony award was presented at a virtual Chordsmen rehearsal Tuesday evening with the actual presentation in-person, yesterday at her home.
