Oh my, the stories these four men can tell you about Valentine’s Day.
After decades of serenading both men and women on Feb. 14 to raise money for charity, Brian Bowden, Peter Townsend, Art Bingham and Bob Morse have as many memories as they do song lyrics in their heads.
“The reaction varies, but about 90 per cent really enjoy it. Some are embarrassed by it,” said Bingham.
This year, the quartet has chosen to sing, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” for their singing Valentine fundraiser that includes the recipients being presented a song, chocolates and a rose.
- men are able to accommodate between 25 and 30 appointments each year depending on weather conditions, travel and the logistics of getting to certain places.
In the past, some of the serenades have taken place at nursing homes, office buildings and private residences. They have sung to both men and women, but it’s usually men who purchase the gift of song for the women in their life.
Bingham said women are usually a little embarrassed at first but very happy that the man thought so much of them as to arrange a song, but men usually give the quartet a different reaction.
“People are smiling and laughing and videotaping and the guy is usually kicking the floor saying, ‘Who sent this?’” said Townsend.
At the end of the day, the men say it feels good to make people smile, and sometimes cry, but to also know they’re helping out their favourite charities.
It is first-come, first served to purchase a singing valentine on Feb. 14. Once the day’s appointments are full, there is room for no more.
“You don’t have much left in you after you’ve sang to 30 people,” said Morse.
The cost of a singing Valentine is $25 each and it is best if payment is done before Feb. 14. Anyone interested in booking an appointment can call the singing hotline at 902-921-3386.
