Saline, Nov. 11, 2013. Fiddlers ReStrung announced that its annual Holiday Hometown Concert for Toys for Tots will be Sunday, December, 8, 2013 at 2PM at Saline High School’s Ewing Performing Arts Center. In the spirit of community and the season, the concert will spotlight Saline’s own Fiddlers ReStrung along with the Saline High School Drum Line and the 6^th grade and 7^th/8^th grade Saline Fiddle Clubs.

Also, in what has become a seasonal tradition, Fiddlers ReStrung will again be combining forces with the Saline Area Fire Department’s Toys for Tots collection for children in the Saline and Washtenaw County communities. In previous years the campaign raised more than 1,500 toys in support of the program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. For the past six years, the Fire Department and Fiddlers ReStrung have collected more than 5500 toys distributed by Saline Area Social Services.

“The Toys for Tots campaign demonstrates in a very meaningful way the great relationship that exists in our community between the Fire Department, Fiddlers ReStrung and, of course, the Saline community itself,” said Chief Hoeft.  “On behalf of the families benefiting from this holiday generosity, I cannot say enough about the inspiring outpouring of holiday spirit we receive every year.”

The Saline Fire Dept. has hosted a toy collection to benefit children identified through Saline Social Services for many years.  Ten years ago Saline firefighter and U.S. Marine Corps Reservist Kurt Schneider initiated the fire department’s alliance with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program. 

Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. In 1948, Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots logo, which we use today.  Disney also designed the first Toys for Tots poster used to promote the nationwide program.  Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee and Vic Damone recorded the Toys for Tots theme composed by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster in 1956.  Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Tim Allen, Kenny Rogers and Billy Ray Cyrus are but a few of the long list of celebrities who have given their time and talent to promote Toys for Tots.  First Lady Nancy Reagan served as the national Spokesperson in 1983.  First Lady Barbara Bush served as the national Spokesperson in 1992 and in her autobiography named Toys for Tots as one of her favorite charities.

Fiddlers ReStrung is a 25-piece string ensemble featured at 60 performances annually consisting of students at Saline High School, all of whom share in producing a unique ensemble truly their own. The organization is officially sponsored and supported by Saline Area Schools and Saline Community Education. Students are chosen based not only on musical talent, but personal maturity, as well as balancing a demanding performance schedule while maintaining high standards in other school activities, sports, and academics.

For additional information on this event or Fiddlers ReStrung, please contact Rebecca Groeb-Driskill, Cultural Arts Specialist, Saline Area Schools at (734) 429-8000 ext. 2338 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.fiddlersrestrung.com.

Tickets for Fiddlers ReStrung Toys for Tots Concert are $10 for adults or $5 for seniors/students and are available at the door or by calling (734) 663-8923.

A non-profit organization sponsored by Saline Community Education to advance progressive string education

Click HERE to watch our 90 second promotional video!!!