BC Choirs Hold Fundraiser for Trip to Carnegie Hall

Friday, April 4, 2025

The Bakersfield College choir is participating in a unique fundraiser to help them travel to New York for an incredible opportunity to perform at the world-famous Carnegie Hall. The fundraiser consists of a “shoe drive,” where participants can donate gently used shoes which will help raise funds for the trip.

Jennifer Garret, Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at BC, is excited about this rare opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. “This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our singers,” says Garrett, “and one of the most significant performances of my career.” Garrett was also responsible for coordinating the fundraising partnership. “I was searching for fundraisers for our trip,” she said, “and the shoe drive through Funds2orgs stood out to me, because it was very unique in that it helps so many people around the world through business opportunities and microenterprise.”

The shoe drive is running through April 10th, so there is still time to donate. There will be drop boxes at the following locations where you can bring shoes:

• Office of Student Life (BC Main Campus)
• Library Circulation Desk (BC Main Campus)
• FA69 (Fine Arts Building, BC Main Campus)
• BC SouthWest Campus (9400 Camino Media)
• KernCCD District Office (2100 Chester Ave)

The trip to Carnegie Hall is scheduled for June of 2026, and more than 70 BC singers will be performing. The shoe drive can include any gently used shoes except for roller blades and roller skates. They will go to twenty-six impoverished countries, where Fund2orgs will help people start businesses with them. If you are not able to donate shoes, you can make financial contributions through the BC Foundation website – make sure you choose Choral Music Fund in the designation field.

“We want as many students as possible to have this opportunity and that will take a lot of support from our community and college,” says Garrett, “This shoe drive can truly change lives. I sincerely hope people will donate and spread the word.”