SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD — On Valentine’s Day, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (SPFHS) choirs staged Cabaret for a Cause, which raised over $1,000 to support the nonprofit LifeTown. This organization offers social and recreational opportunities for children and teenagers with autism and other special needs, as well as their families.

The February 14 event at the high school was a huge success, with the high-school choir students performing music from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hamilton, Toy Story, Man of La Mancha and Hairspray, in addition to songs performed by featured soloists.

Marc Shaiman, a composer and lyricist who co-wrote the Broadway musical Hairspray and recently won a Grammy for the musical comedy

Some Like It Hot, presented a special video message at the performance. As a SPFHS alumnus, he was happy to support the cause and to hear that the Concert Choir students were performing a Hairspray medley.

“The concert was a fun way for the community to celebrate Valentine’s Day, while also supporting a worthwhile cause,” remarked Jan Allen, SPFHS choir director. “We are thrilled to have raised over $1,000 for LifeTown.”

LifeTown, a project of Friendship Circle New Jersey, provides children and teens with special needs and their families with a wide array of innovative respite, social and recreational programs. These experiences are essential building blocks for an individual to acquire confidence and selfesteem and to ultimately lead a full, productive adult life.