They sang for kids! (20 photos)

Nearly 1,000 people crammed themselves into the Community Theatre Centre Wednesday night to take in the 5th annual Soo Sings For Kids musical extravaganza.

Teams from nine area organizations left everything on stage as their song and dance numbers were judged by three local pros; Agnes McCarthy, Skye Stewart, and Jeff McNeice. Lesley Sawchyn was in charge of presenting each team with a special award that reflected their individuality.

All proceeds from the event go to support area children’s charities, including THRIVE Child Development Centre, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Women In Crisis Children's Program, The Twinkie Foundation, YMCA Strong Kids, Autism Ontario, Big Brothers Big Sisters Sault Ste. Marie, ARCH Hospice - Pediatric Palliative Care, and Muscular Dystrophy Canada. All prize money awarded to the top three teams is donated to a charity of that team’s choosing. The remaining six teams are given $1,500 to do the same.

As of the time Soo Sings For Kids was staged Wednesday night, the event had raised $25,000, bringing the five-year grand total to $85,000. With the addition of a new ‘Donate” button to the Soo Sings For Kids website http://soosingsforkids.com/home/ , that total is expected to increase. Donations will be accepted until May 30.

2017 Soo Sings For Kids participants

First place
Huron Superior Catholic District School Board
"Harmonies for Hope"
Charity: ARCH Pediatric Palliative Care
Vocal Mentor: Lesley Walsh Tibben
Dance Mentor: Jennifer Avery

Second place
Algoma District School Board
(F.H. Clergue and Rosedale)
"Team Enchanté"
Charity: The Twinkie Foundation
Vocal Mentor: Jaime Miller
Dance Mentor: Katie Graham

Third Place and People’s Choice Award winner
Arthur Funeral Home and FJ Davey Home
"The Tributes"
Charity: Canadian Tire Jump Start
Vocal Mentor: Marci Chindamo
Dance Mentor: Angela Gervasi

Algoma Public Health
"Encore"
Vocal Mentor: Elizabeth Alloi
Dance Mentor: Rayann Basawa

YMCA
"Singing Strong"
Vocal Mentor: Shauna Major
Dance Mentor: Nicole Robinson

Women in Crisis
"WIC Wonder Women"
Vocal Mentor: Stephen Patterson
Dance Mentor: Vanessa Lauszus

City of Sault Ste. Marie/Social Services
"Collective Voices"
Vocal Mentor: Christina Coutu
Dance Mentors: Natasha Rinaldi and Cora Lee Yorke

Sault College
"The Sault College #1-ders"
Vocal Mentor: Louise Stephens
Dance Mentor: Taryn Goulding

Community First Credit Union
"I Love Treble"
Vocal Mentor: Calyssa Skeggs
Dance Mentor: Kristin Dias