'Singing for the Kids': Love of music supports children’s hospital
Through his “Singing for the Kids” karaoke fundraising events, Nelson Converse is collecting donations for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Here he is pictured singing with Maria Stavroplus at the Marquette End of Summer Blast. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Nelson Converse is using a life-long love of singing to support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
“My family always had a love for music,” recalled Converse. He was involved in sports and music in high school, then in college was the lead singer of a group. He also performed at weddings and funerals.
“But as the years went on, I quit doing that and started doing other things,” he said.
Around four years ago, Converse decided to test his vocal cords again. He purchased a system and downloaded a karaoke app for singing.
“I sang here at home for hours at a time. My wife can attest to that,” Converse quipped.
He started taking the system to birthday parties and other gatherings. Public events followed. Last December, Converse led the singing of holiday tunes for the Christmas in Marquette benefit for the Clayton County Food Shelf.
Soon, he thought, “I’m enjoying doing this. Why not use the format to get some donations?”
Inspired by the “Iowa Wave,” a tradition where fans wave to the children at the nearby Stead Family Children’s Hospital during the first quarter of every home Iowa football game at Kinnick Stadium, Converse decided to make the children his cause.
“You see it on TV, and it’s so unique, with the wave at the football game,” he said. “I thought anything I can do to help that cause along.”
Converse called his fundraiser “Singing for the Kids.” He had a half dozen karaoke events in Clayton County over the summer, including at the St. Olaf Tavern and Pocket City Pub in McGregor. It capped off Labor Day weekend, at the Marquette End of Summer Blast.
The events brought in $1,400 in donations, which Converse will deliver to Iowa City this week.
Converse is appreciative of those who supported the cause. He had a good time doing it.
“My enjoyment is seeing other people get up and sing who might not have ever done it before. Or when groups get up there together. It’s been a lot of fun,” he said.
So much fun that Converse doesn’t plan to stop. He hopes to continue “Singing for the Kids” into this fall. He welcomes people to contact him at (563) 380-3429 if they’d like to host karaoke.
“I’m looking for different venues to do it and raise some more money,” he said.
Learn more on the “Singing for the Kids” Facebook page.
