By Anne Ruisi
When you’ve got a love song in your heart but need someone to sing it to your darling, The Exceptional Foundation’s Caroling Cupids will hit all the right notes.
For a suggested $100 donation, this year’s duo from the nonprofit center for people with special needs will sing a classic love song to that special someone, said Robbie Lee, the foundation’s director of partnerships and outreach.
Accompanied by Lee on guitar, singers Tia Stallworth, 30, and Sam Sullivan, 32, will sing one of the songs from this year’s repertoire: Stevie’s Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “My Girl” by the Temptations or “Can’t Help Myself” by the Four Tops.
The carolers and the songs rotate annually.
“We try to keep it fresh each year,” Lee said.
The carolers said they enjoy participating.
“I love singing for people because it makes them feel good. It is my favorite thing to do,” Sullivan said.
Lee said it’s fun to surprise people when the carolers turn up to sing for someone’s sweetheart.
“I think they are impressed by the level of performance,” he said.
It’s also a fun way for The Exceptional Foundation to get out into the community and celebrate Valentine’s Day, Lee added.
All proceeds benefit the foundation, Lee said. Its mission is to serve people with special needs in the greater Birmingham area with social and recreational objectives not met by schools or the community, according to its website.
The Caroling Cupids started a few years ago when it grew out of the foundation’s popular Christmas carolers. Eight to 12 singers each year go to businesses to sing Christmas carols for a donation, Lee said.
“People enjoyed it so much we thought, why not do it for Valentine’s Day?” he said.
A lot of the people who book the carolers are people who are familiar with the foundation and its programs, such as former volunteers. They spread the word about booking the Caroling Cupids through social media and a newsletter.
Stallworth and Sullivan started singing the love songs to donors’ sweethearts on Feb. 8 and will be singing on Feb. 9, 13 and 14, with a maximum of six performances a day, Lee said.
