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For Veterans Financial Aid Programs The Pops Orchestra recently presented a $5,000 donation earmarked for veteran financial aid to the Military Officers Scholarship Fund. The check was presented by Rear Admiral Brian McCarthy USN, Chapter President, Executive Director and Pops Orchestra Board Member to Clare Power, Chairman of the Chapter’s Scholarship Committee and Col Len Friedlander USAF, Florida MOAA Chapter President, at the chapter’s Annual Military Gala in December. The donation is earmarked for returning veterans needing financial assistance to attend our local colleges and technical schools. This was the third year that the two organizations partnered in presenting concerts —at Riverview High School Performing Arts Center in Sarasota and Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton — with the purpose of generating profits to fund the veteran financial aid programs at the State College of Florida, the University of South Florida Manatee and the Manatee Technical College programs. The concerts, John Denver’s Coming Home, delivered record attendance and rave reviews. Both organizations are already planning next year’s concert series. The Pops Orchestra is committed to bringing music to all people, demonstrated by its low-ticket prices and varied programming. Each concert is designed to entertain, invigorate and project the orchestra’s passion and enthusiasm for music with local musicians. MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers with 350,000 members. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. The local chapter of 350 members, meets the third Friday of every month at the Bird Key Yacht Club. They welcome all former, reserve, and active duty officers of the uniformed services and their spouses. For more information about the local chapter visit, www.sarasotamoaa.com. Visit http://www.popsorchestra.getmytix.net to purchase tickets for the remaining POPs concerts this year