Meet Casie Luong:
Casie Luong ’10 discovered her passion for combining music and service during an internship in Vietnam during summer 2008. She completed an Austin College Lilly vocational internship in Ho Chi Minh City at The Little Rose Shelter, which housed 20 girls, ages 8-19. Casie shared her love of piano with the residents, teaching 15 girls and organizing a recital at the end of her stay.
A requirement of the internship was to follow the summer experience with a project that reflected what was gained from the experience. Casie organized a campus benefit concert called “Resonance” and proceeds were donated to Education Through Music, a non-profit organization in New York.
She coordinated musicians to perform, including herself, and raised additional funds through a bake sale during the concert. A similar program her junior year raised funds for a scholarship for students with Crohns’ Disease.
So, when she graduated in May and wanted to serve in her own community of Wichita Falls, Texas, she again turned to music. She founded Two Can Share and organized a benefit concert in Wichita Falls through her church’s college student ministry, this time in support of Faith Mission.
“I love the idea of bringing everyone together for a sole cause. In the case of a benefit concert, the musicians get to make music, the audience members are active participants, and a cause is served. It’s such a beautiful thing,” she said.
More than 100 people attended, raising $50 for the mission as well as more than 340 canned good items. “This was a small beginning but everything counts. Many young volunteers donated their time, energy, creative ideas, and talents, and this gives me hope for bigger events to come to serve our community. It all starts small and I hope no matter how big any charity event becomes, we all remember where it started,” Casie said.