The ninth Singing for the Soldiers event held over the last three years recently took place at the Tryon Fine Arts center. The events, which began in January 08 in Polk County, have collected thousands of pounds of items for troops in war zones.

Saturday, Nov. 13ths event in Tryon was no exception. More than 1,500 pounds of items such as socks, footballs, snacks, personal hygene items and other small items were collected to make Christmas a little better for troops. Nearly $3,000 was collected through donations and an auction to ship the items as well as purchase other items.

Several businesses sponsored the event, taking care of the exspenses so all items collected that night would go to the cause.

Music was provided from legendary Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Naomi Sego Reader, the Green River Boys, gospel songwriter Greg Day, as well as J.J. Wadell.

Four chaplins were also in attendance, two of which (Capt.Mike Mcawley and Capt. Jay Clark) were on the receiving end of these collection efforts while they were based in Iraq.

WJFJS James Metcalf, Sherry Carney of Mill Spring and Deb Williamson of Columbus have been organizing these events three times per year at diffrent locations in Polk County.

Donations of items or money to be sent to the troops may still be dropped off at WJFJ, located on Court Street in Columbus.