INTERFACE: 40 YEARS OF HELPING - 40 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING - 40 YEARS OF SUPPORT!

I was reflecting just the other day on the fact that we are already in the holiday season (where DOES the time go?) and how this has been a very special year for Interface – our 40^th year of service!  I came across a quote that so succinctly captured the essence of what we do:  “We never think lightly of those who walk with us on our uphill days.” – Richelle E. Goodrich.

We walk with a lot of kids and families on their “uphill days…” here at Interface Children & Family Services.  It is an honor and privilege to serve and support families as they struggle through their many challenges - helping them up the hills and over the speed bumps in their lives; giving them ways to become stronger and more resilient.

Interface has always been about people – the people we assist and the people who choose to make a career here – a career of service to others.   40 years…! I estimate that represents about 750,000 staff/volunteer days spent in service to our communities…not hours, but days of service: for abused children, homeless teens, parents at their wits end, fathers who don’t know how to rise above a troubled past, grieving seniors looking for support, abused moms and kids, and even other organizations wanting to learn from us as to how to be more effective in their work.

This year we have been inspired and amazed by the number of people who have chosen to become involved in what we do at Interface – people who have busy lives and other things to do, but who want to be there on those “uphill days” for others.  We’ve had folks volunteer to dance, skate, run, walk and collect old shoes to help raise funds to support our programs.  And now, we even have someone who wants to sing for Interface!  Let me introduce you to Ventura vocalist, Loanne Wullaert.

Loanne will be presenting a special holiday concert, Canzoni Invernali Di Amore (Winter Songs of Love) on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.) at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut, Ventura.  She will be performing a collection of seasonal songs and proceeds from the concert will benefit Interface Children & Family Services.  There is a $10.00 suggested donation for the concert and kids under 16 are FREE.  A silent auction will also happen during intermission. 

Recently we asked Loanne some questions about her background, her love of music and why she is giving her time and talent to be there on those “uphill days.”  We found that her story was a wonderful match with what we do at Interface.

When did you start singing and why did you start?

“I started singing when I was 2 years old, when I started playing piano. My first song was Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head. My Mom said I sat down one day and sang it and played it with both hands out of nowhere. My Dad used to play a lot of music when I was young, lots of classical and stuff, and we were not allowed to watch TV. I hated that then, but I consider it a blessing now.”

What vocal training or musical experience do you have?

“My only training really was school choir.  Usually I was told my voice didn't blend, like it was too distinct and stood out too much. Other than choir at school, I did some local theater in Santa Barbara, and I had a band for a short period in Ventura called Sinfonia Illuminada, which took traditional opera pieces and transposed them in to rock.”

How would you describe your “style” of music?

“The songs I sing are songs that speak to me and make me feel a certain way.  Even when I pick a song in a foreign language and then translate it, I always find that it is saying what I felt it did. So I guess, my style is honest? Heartfelt? I don't really know if that can be a style.”

What inspired you to do this holiday concert for Interface Children & Family Services?

“I was adopted by my mom and dad as an infant, and because of that I have always been aware of how lucky I am. There are so many children in this world with no home, no parents, in desperate situations, without hope or love. I believe that you can change the world by making an impact on just one person and letting them know someone cares. So if I can raise money, or help get toys or shoes or whatever for just one child who has nothing, I am taking the steps to accomplish my goals and dreams to make this world a better place.”

What is your hope or desire for the audience to experience at the concert?

“I would like people to feel my heart, to open their minds to music and the different types of people who create it.  I would love to give people a raised awareness of the things which are really important in life such as love, beauty, and friendship, and to be able to express that to people. I feel that life is so hurried and fast that we often to forget to tell those around us how much they mean to us, and then it is too late. I, myself am guilty of that, and that is why I have been doing these shows, to try to honestly and openly express how I feel, and to let people know who I really am instead of who they perceive me to be.”

 Anything else you would like to add?

“The greatest thing you will ever learn, is to love and be loved in return.” 

We are so grateful to Loanne for dedicating this concert to the support of Interface and all of its programs.  We hope you will come out and support her, and in so doing, help even more people on those “uphill days!”

To pre-purchase tickets to Canzoni Invernali Di Amore or for more information visit:
http://www.venturatheater.net/event/419381-canzoni-invernali-di-amore-ventura/