Glitter Girls use voices instead of bells to raise funds
Six preteen girls have been adding something this Christmas season to the tinkling sound around the Salvation Army's red kettles.
The Alaska Glitter Girls - ranging from 6 to 10 years old - spent Tuesday night at an entrance of Fred Meyer lifting their voices to help the Salvation Army's annual Yuletide fund-raiser.
"We use our voices instead of bells," said Jason Brown, the group's manager.
The Glitter Girls perform as a community service throughout the year, Brown said. Singing at the kettles has just been part of a busy season.
Maj. Larry Fankhauser, executive director of the Salvation Army in Juneau, said the organization hired Brown to work at a kettle. But he appreciates the girls' help with the cause.
"We find that the public likes to hear the music," Fankhauser said. "Unfortunately we do not have any bandsmen now."
Brown said the nonprofit group has held "hundreds and hundreds of performances - all volunteer" for almost two years.
The girls have had 25 performances this month, he added. In addition to working to inspire donations for the Salvation Army kettles, they have been appearing at local events and performing at schools, churches and senior homes.
The group also is acting as a Santa Claus, of sorts, for a family, providing presents and a tree with decorations, Brown said, the girls filling in details while he talks.
But raising money is something the group does all year. The Glitter Girls typically hold fund-raisers so they can travel to places where they can inspire people with their music, Brown said.
"We like to inspire people and make them happy and put happiness in their hearts," said Brown's 9-year-old daughter, Charlotte, from her wheelchair.
In December 2001, Charlotte was paralyzed in a multi-vehicle accident on Egan Drive. She was thrown from her family's car after it slid on ice and she was hit by another car. The accident severed her spinal cord.
Her favorite thing about singing at the Salvation Army kettles is seeing people smile, she said, with a big smile of her own.
Singing with Charlotte as the Glitter Girls are her nieces - Toni Sharclane, 6; Myrna Sharclane, 8 Ellen Sharclane, 9; and Darrein Sharclane, 9. The newest member of the group, 10-year-old Jamie Vonda, joined two months ago.
The other girls said she's just like family.
All attend Glacier Valley Elementary except for Ellen, a Riverbend Elementary student.
Brown, who has traveled with the girls to Anchorage and as far south as California, said they can exude a lot of energy. But they are serious about their singing.
He said Jamie was shy at first, but she has begun to open up. Jamie said the other girls can be a little more outgoing.
The singing, Darrein said, "makes me feel very good inside."
Myrna said her favorite song is the gospel piece "Thank you for Giving to the Lord."
Brown said that along with Christian inspirational music, they also mix in seasonal favorites - such as traditional Christmas songs this time of year. They also do a few pop standards, such as "Dancing Queen" and "We Are Family" from the 1970s.
"I like Christmas more now that I'm singing," Toni added.
"We've had a real good response from the community," Brown said. He said he would like the group to continue to add girls.
Brown said he does have a disappointment this season. The girls have been invited to sing next year at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, but they've been doing so much for Christmas, that they haven't been raising the money for the trip, he explained.
"All these girls are looking forward to it," he said. "I don't think we'll make it."