A huge night of singing for kids (17 photos)

The 4th annual Soo Sings For Kids at the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre Wednesday night was another sold-out rousing success, raising $20,000 for children’s charities.

Teams from nine area organizations left everything on stage as their song and dance numbers were judged by three Soo-lebrities - musician Greig Nori, dancer and director Lucas Beaver, and SooToday news personality Jasmyn Rowley.

Local sign language interpreter Lesley Sawchyn watched each performance - including that of master of ceremonies Timothy Murphy - with a careful eye to present each team an award that reflected their individuality.

This year’s participating teams were (in order of appearance):

Chalk Talk - Central Algoma Secondary School
2015 Soo Sings For Kids first place winner
Mentors - Alicia Annett, Kelly McGillivray
Charity - Easter Seals

Singing Strong - YMCA
First time participating in Soo Sings For Kids
Mentors - Shauna Major, Tania Castellani, Vanessa Lajambe
Charity - YMCA Strong Kids

WIC Wonder Women - Women In Crisis
First time participating in Soo Sings For Kids
Mentors - Anthony Aceti, Justice Stephany
Charity - Women In Crisis Children’s Program

Encore - Algoma Public Health
2015 Soo Sings For Kids third place winner
Mentors - Timothy Murphy, Christina Tucci, Kaitlin Pelletier
Charity - Big Brothers Big Sisters Sault Ste. Marie

The Tributes - Arthur Funeral Home
2015 Soo Sings For Kids second place winner
Mentors - Donna Hilsinger, Sandra Dewar
Charity - Canadian Tire Jump Start

Harmonies For Hope - Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board
Mentors - Lesley Walsh-Tibben, Jennifer Avery
Charity - ARCH Hospice Pediatric Palliative Care

Team Ignite - Children’s Rehabilitation Centre Algoma
Mentors - Stephen Patterson, Skye Stewart
Charity - Children’s Rehabilitation Centre Algoma Foundation

The Sault College #1-ders - Sault College
First time participating in Soo Sings For Kids
Mentors - Louise Stephens, Charlotte Reich, Lilliana Speck, Taryn Goulding
Charity - Autism Ontario Algoma Chapter

Team Enchante - F.H. Clergue and Rosedale French Immersion Schools
Mentors - Jaime Miller, Katie Graham
Charity - Sault Area Hospital NICU

While every participant gave their all to raise funds for charity, one stood out above the rest - 90-year-old Gord Saunders from Team YMCA who never missed a step and, naturally, played the cowboy.

No team left empty-handed, with first place receiving $5,000 for their chosen charity, second place $3,500, and third $2,500.

All other participating teams were given $1,500 to donate to their charities.

The 2016 Soo Sings For Kids winners were:

First place - Team Enchante
Second place - Chalk Talk
Third place - Harmonies For Hope

If you were unable to attend Wednesday night's event, a replay of the entire performance is available for viewing on SooToday here.

To learn more about Soo Sings For Kids, please click here.