Mina and Thomas Edison

Now in its 32nd year, Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing will return for two performances in February, in downtown Fort Myers to benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café of Community Cooperative.

The popular gathering will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at The First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street in downtown Fort Myers. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Although admission is free, attendees are asked to bring cans of non-perishable food, and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit Community Cooperative.

The dollar is able to be stretched further with Community Cooperative’s purchases, as they can buy five times as much food for the same amount that individuals are able to at the grocery store.

The late Sam Galloway Jr. founded Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, as he made feeding the hungry part of his life’s work. Community Cooperative, which Galloway was one of the founding fathers of, is a nonprofit organization that helps in fighting the end to homelessness and hunger in the community.

The organization provides more than 22,000 meals each month through Community Cafe’s, Meals on Wheels programs, and school programs, as well as distributes more than 750,000 pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries. The organization also serves 9,000 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management through its Social & Education Resource Centers.

“We need to help the Soup Kitchen by donating as much canned goods and cash as we can to help families who most need it in our community,” First Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Paul deJong said in a prepared statement. “On this 32nd anniversary of the Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing that Sam founded, it seems only appropriate that we dedicate this year’s performance in his memory.”

First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir, as well as many other singers, along with a piano organ combination will be part of the event.

A classically trained symphonic musician has been a part of the hymn sings for 12 or 13 years after Lenny Mlejnek (Mills) handed the music director his business card after attending the event with his second wife.

“I was kind of impressed. We were just there as attendees. I was rather impressed because at that time they had a small orchestra, a couple violins, flute, clarinets, trombone,” Mlejnek said. “After the performance I walked up to the music director and handed him a business card and said if you ever need a percussionist, call me.”

By the time the December hymn came around, the music director called Mlejnek.

“I have been there ever since,” he said, adding that he also plays at 11 a.m. every Sunday for the better part of 12 to 13 years. “It gives me an opportunity to play ‘percussion’ instruments, and not just a drum set.”

The Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, Mlejnek said includes traditional hymns that everyone has grown up with.  He said some of the songs are patriotic, as well as songs geared towards the City of Fort Myers and Lee County.

Mlejnek, a North Fort Myers resident, played his first professional gig at 10 years of age, about 74 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I just love it,” he said about playing music. “It’s calming and soothing. I’m not talking about today’s music, but pre-1960s or 1970s music.”

Since moving to Southwest Florida in 1999, he has played with such musical groups as the Southwest Florida Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony, Lee County Concert Band, Sanibel Big Arts Band, Lehigh Community Concert Band, as he lived in Lehigh for close to 20 years, Naples Orchestra and Chorus. In addition, Mlejnek is also a house drummer for the German American Social Club for the past 20 years.

Now, Mlejnek is retired, as his body told him he should no longer carry and haul his equipment.

“I don’t pick them up and don’t move them. You have instruments, I’ll bring sticks and we will make the music,” he said. “That is the attraction at First Presbyterian Church.”

For one Cape Coral resident, Richard Chappelle has been attending First Presbyterian Church since 1993.

“I was dating my wife and I was a Methodist. I invited her to church and she said no. She said how about you come with me. Now I am one,” he said of becoming a Presbyterian.

As a long time member of the church, Chappelle said he enjoys attending the Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing because people really get into singing hymns and songs together.

“I believe we are best in community. We give support to others,” he said.

For the past 20 years, Chappelle has attended the Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, and has ushered many of them.

“I always enjoy that,” he said, as many people who have never attended the church before shared how much they enjoyed the hymn. “People call from up north because they want to schedule their vacation around that to be here.”

The music that makes up the event includes old fashioned songs, some of which Mina Edison loves.

“We don’t push political issues, denominational issues. We want people to come and have a wonderful time. Just have a good time,” Chappelle said. “We are raising money for a good cause. Community Cooperative has done a wonderful job over the years. Unfortunately it is still needed. It’s great to know organizations are out there like that.”

For more information about the event, visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.