Scouts collecting books at door. Photo Contributed
More than 200 members of the community attended Xander Day’s Make A Difference Day Benefit Concert and Children’s Book Drive on Oct. 9 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Herndon. The accomplished flutist and Oakton High School senior led the concert, accompanied by eighteen classically-trained musicians who also donated their time and talent to support Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s Make A Difference Day 2016 campaign.
Day’s family and friends delighted the audience with classical, patriotic and other music to bring awareness to the nonprofit’s children’s book drive. From the soloist singing the National Anthem to the brass quartet’s rich sounds to Day’s brilliant duet with his grandmother, and all of the musicians in between, each performance was captivating.
In lieu of an admission fee, attendees donated new books for elementary school age children. By the end of the evening, collection boxes were filled to the brim with more than 500 books in addition to cash donations. The book drive continues through Oct. 29 with drop boxes at Day Violins, 14221A Willard Road, Suite 500, in Chantilly. The books will be donated to selected Title I schools in the community in early November. To learn more about Assistance League’s community-based programs, visit www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org