Habitat for Humanity of Shawnee, OK

‘WinterSong’ to Benefit Habitat, Sustainable Shawnee March 3

Musician Ann Zimmerman will present a concert, “WinterSong,” on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. at University Baptist Church in Shawnee to benefit two local non-profit organizations: Habitat for Humanity and Sustainable Shawnee. The concert, originally slated for early February, was rescheduled due to winter weather.

Admission to the event is by free-will donation; $10 is suggested. “Patron” tickets will be available at the door; with any $50 donation, the sponsor will receive one of Zimmerman’s CDs.

The concert also will feature an opening act by local Shawnee artists Tim Sean and Head Cabinets. Desserts and refreshments will be served during intermission.

Zimmerman said performing to benefit Habitat for Humanity and Sustainable Shawnee is a natural fit for her personal values.

“The idea of building houses alongside those who will live in them has always seemed like a great idea to me,” she said. “In Manhattan, Kan., I was a very active member of their Family Selection Committee, helping decide which family would be the next to work on building its own house. That’s when I wrote ‘Good Houses.’

“I have long been involved with The Land Institute. They have an emphasis on living in a way that sustains the earth and all its resources and inhabitants, so it’s easy for me to be in sync with an organization like Sustainable Shawnee.”

Dr. Doug Watson, professor emeritus of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, arranged for Zimmerman’s performance. Watson expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the concert for continuing their support even as the concert date was rearranged. They include The C. L. Craig Foundation, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, BancFirst, Direct Colors, GO Consulting and The Bicycle Shoppe.

Zimmerman grew up in Salina, earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State, taught school, spent a year’s internship studying prairie grasses at The Land Institute, earned a Harvard law degree, and returned to Kansas to marry a cowboy and practice law – all the while singing, writing and staying in touch with her “roots.” More information about Zimmerman’s music can be found online at www.annzimmerman.com.
Habitat for Humanity of Shawnee, Inc., is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org or www.shawneehabitat.org.

Sustainable Shawnee is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable living and educating the community on how to live more “gently” on the planet. Community members interested in a sustainable future are invited to join the group; dues are $25 a year. Sustainable Shawnee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at University Baptist Church in Shawnee. For more information, visit www.sustainableshawnee.org.

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