STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS BY ROGER DEMMENT

The Wood River Valley Music Jammers just wanted to equal or eclipse the $400 they raised last Christmas for The Hunger Coalition.

Instead, they tripled the amount of donations from passengers arriving at Friedman Memorial Airport to spend Christmas in Sun Valley.

Passengers chipped in $1,200 as an assortment of Wood River Valley residents played “Feliz Navidad” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” on a variety of instruments, including violins, guitars, keyboard, accordion and flute over four days.

“It was so lovely to see the joy on people’s faces,” said Christine Demment. “Kids played the tambourines we handed out and so did one elegant elderly lady in a wheelchair who concentrated hard as she played, very proud of her own effort.”

There were poignant moments, too, Demment said.

“One woman standing alone in the empty lobby while we practiced a tune or two quietly approached the keyboard player and said, with a tear in her eye, that she had been feeling sad as the holidays approached due to a recent loss. She said our music lifted her spirits.”

While the musicians played to spread joy and raise money to feed the hungry, they were the recipients of an unexpected expression of gratitude during a break between arriving flights. That would be when Leah brought out two pizzas for the group, courtesy of the airport administration.

“We had a wonderful time, and it really feels good to bring cheer to so many, to have fun playing and to have something to give to such an important organization in this community,” said Demment.

WANT TO DO SOME MUSICAL JAMMING YOURSELF?

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Traditional Music Jam, no matter what your experience. The jammers meet from 3 to 5 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays at The Community Library in Ketchum. Participation is free and spectators are welcome.