~ PVN staff report
LURAY — Nine performing groups will spread holiday cheer throughout chambers and passageways, as echos bounce off stalactites and stalagmites this Saturday night at Luray Caverns. The second “Caroling in the Caverns” event in Luray aims to promote the spirit of the season and raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The Caverns Shrine Club was unable to hold the holiday event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they launched the “new” attraction in 2019 to replace the former “Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge” music festival held for several years at the Page Valley Fairgrounds each summer.
This year’s carols will be performed throughout Luray Caverns
on Saturday night by the following:
Hands of Harmony Bell Ringers
Morning Star Lutheran Church Choir
Dave, Nancy and Isiah
Judy and Becky Lee
Jim and Trish Ashley
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church Music Ministries
Central High School Carolers
Brenda Ellison
Paul Strassner
With a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides those 18 and under with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate with treatment and helps with costs associated with receiving that treatment. Families must apply and be accepted, but once an application has been accepted, not only do the Shriners provide medical services — regardless of the patient’s ability to pay — they also provide (or pay the associated costs for) things like transportation to and from appointments, meals, hotel rooms and prescriptions up to the age of 18. In some cases, those services could be extended to age 21.
The Shriners Hospitals closest to Page County sit in Philadelphia, Pa. and Greenville, S.C. The Caverns Shrine Club has been assigned to help the Greenville facility and donated $15,000 following the inaugural caroling event in 2019.
“It gives [the kids] the opportunity and ability to achieve what they may not have been able to do without our help,” said past president of the Caverns Shrine Club and coordinator of Saturday night’s event, Dennis Fleming. “It’s absolutely touching…heartwarming to see that we can help.”
The idea for “Caroling in the Caverns” came from Fleming’s daughter, Katie McDaniel, after she visited a similar event at Grand Caverns, which benefits the Grottoes Ruritan Club. Now the idea is helping raise funds in Luray for children with specialized medical needs.
This year’s event at Luray Caverns costs $15 for each adult, with ages 12 and under admitted free. Tickets will be sold at the door.
“I’d like to thank Luray Caverns on behalf of the Shriners Caverns Club for providing the facility,” Fleming said. “They do a wonderful job and without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
“Caroling in the Caverns” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 18 at Luray Caverns.
This unique holiday experience is expected to draw hundreds to Luray this Saturday night to see an underground wonderland while enjoying Christmas performances by local music ensembles and choirs. However, despite the spectacular spectacle of sight and sound it will surely be…with all proceeds benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children, Fleming offers a simple reason for attending…
“Improve the life of a child.”
To make a direct DONATION to Shriners Hospitals for Children today,
just click on the link provided.
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