Group that has been spreading joy looks for new members
By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
LAND O’ LAKES — Joseph R. Berling, of Wesley Chapel, has been a bass signer in the Friendship Singers for more than two years because of how the group brightens people’s days.
“I actually heard about the band through an ad in The Laker,” Berling said. “My wife and I both wanted to do some kind of community service, so we thought the group would be a fun way to give back. We were right and it has been a blast.
“It is really great to be able to bring some joy to the residents because many of them can’t get outside to often.”
The group was established on Oct. 29, 1994 and has been singing at assisted living facilities and retirement homes ever since.
Many have joined the Friendship Singers to give back as Berling did, while others have joined for different reasons.
“I heard about the group at my husband’s funeral,” said Joice Ruby, who lives in Carrollwood and has been singing alto in the group for three years. “We were big Buccaneers fans, and I was used to doing fun things on Sundays. So, I decided to join the group, and it has really helped me.”
The group sings mainly 1930s and 40s music and encourages the residents of the facilities and homes to sing along with them.
“A lot of the residents we sing to don’t have anyone else to come visit them,” said Delores Gast, director and founder of the group. “If we can just make them smile for a few minutes, then we know we have done a good thing.”
Gast lives in Saint Joseph, located north of San Antonio, and said there are members in the group from Dade City down into Tampa, including Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and New Tampa.
In addition to singing to the residents, the Friendship Singers also give out stuffed animals and other small gifts to them to really make their concerts special.
The group has proven to be long lasting and has 55 members signed up, but many only participate seasonally. Only 25 to 30 are active in the group at any time.
However, several of the members have recently dropped, which has created a need for more.
“We could use all members, but we really could use some male singers,” Berling said. “We’ve got just a couple of men right now. We could use a couple more bass and baritones to even things out a little bit.”
The group practices every other Saturday at the Senior Nutrition Center, located at 6801 Wisteria Loop, just off US 41 in Land O’ Lakes from 10 a.m. to noon. Members usually sing every other Sunday at different local assisted living facilities and retirement homes in the mid-morning to afternoon.
Anyone interested in joining the group should e-mail Berling at . There are no auditions, and no professional experience is needed.
“I can assure you that everyone has forgotten their words at least once,” Berling said. “We goof up all the time, and it is funny when it happens.”
Those who are not the best singers can also help the group by contributing new stuffed animals or other small gifts. To donate, e-mail Berling for details.
“The residents all seem to have such a great time, and I think it really makes their day,” Gast said. “If only everyone could come and see how much it means to them. They would all understand why we do it. The songs and gifts are small things that make a big difference.”
