GRAPEVINE, Texas – Music Starz Studio and Serenata Strings musicians are serenading shoppers with violins, violas and guitars to raise money for new shoes for orphans this Christmas at Grapevine Mills.

This is the second year the students have performed at the mall as a fundraiser for Shoes for Orphan Souls, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International. Since 1999, Shoes for Orphan Souls has distributed more than 2.2 million pairs of new shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in 74 countries worldwide.

Karen Lim-Smith of Music Starz Studio is organizing the event for the second year. Last year, the musicians raised more than $4,000 for the organization. This year they hope to raise more.

“Our goal is to raise $10,000 to provide new shoes for orphans,” Smith said. “My husband Jay and I have participated in shoe drives with Buckner before, but we know our ability to make an impact alone is limited. We thought this was a great way to get more people involved to make a difference during the holidays.”

She added that their ability to share music with holiday shoppers is a result of students and professionals “taking time off to contribute and share their musical talents and efforts for this wonderful and noble cause. Jay and I plan to do this for the next 30 years.”

Musicians will continue to perform throughout the holiday season at the following dates and times:

• Dec. 10: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 6 – 9 p.m.
• Dec. 11: 5 – 7 p.m.
• Dec. 18: 5 – 7 p.m.
• Dec. 19-23: 12 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Buckner International has been making life better for orphans, vulnerable children and families since 1879. To learn more, visit www.buckner.org.

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