The Philadelphia Orchestra reports that it raised $34,500 for Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico during its four recent performances of West Side Story in Concert. All proceeds from the fundraiser, held together with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia-based Latino arts and cultural organization Taller Puertorriqueño, will go directly to relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and surrounding areas, distributed through the Pennsylvania-based relief organization Unidos PA’PR. “The generosity demonstrated by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center to collaborate with Taller Puertorriqueño and with Unidos PA’PR went beyond all our expectations,” said Carmen Febo-San Miguel, executive director of Taller Puertorriqueño. “From all of the efforts to make the collaboration known by Orchestra patrons and the words of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin about the poignancy and relevance of West Side Story today, to the incredible response from volunteers and––most importantly––the generosity of donations, this collaboration exemplifies that we are best when our humanity guides our actions. These actions represent the best antidote to decrease the pain and suffering of 3.5 million Americans who are still lacking basic needs almost a month after this major disaster.”
Posted October 26, 2017
