Annual Tour of Churches raises over $1,700 for local relief programs …

Sunday, December 2 the Waukon High School Vocal Music Department participated in its annual Tour of Churches. Over $1,700 in donations were collected at St. John’s Lutheran, Old West Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Patrick Catholic, First Baptist and Zalmona Presbyterian churches in the Waukon area and distributed to the Allamakee County Relief Office, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, the Allamakee Community School District Backpack Program, the Allamakee Giving Tree and the Waukon Community Meal program. Several Waukon businesses donated items for the students to enjoy on their tour as well; Fareway donated granola bars, Quillin’s supplied cookies and Culligan offered bottled water for each performer. The Waukon Music Boosters, who helped organize the event, express their appreciation to everyone who helped make the day a success, including the students for performing, Sarah Palmer for directing, the churches who welcomed the students, Kristi Roeder for accompanying, the parent chaperons, the bus drivers and the businesses that donated refreshments. The Waukon High School Choir has served the community over the past 24 years by having the choir sing at various churches the first Sunday in December. Churches that have been selected for the performance have been based on proximity to the high school, accessibility for the school buses that transport the students, physical size of the church, as well as the congregation, and broadcasting of the program. Eight churches are a part of a cycle that is rotated every year. Seven churches are performed at annually, and one is rotated on the tour schedule. Pictured in the photo above are members of the Waukon High School Concert Choir and director Sarah Palmer performing this year at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Submitted photo.