Hot (cocoa) for Hawaii
Photo courtesy Martin White Elijah White sells hot cocoa and baked goods to raise money for a singing trip to Hawaii this summer.
POST FALLS — Elijah White wants to sing in Hawaii, so naturally, he’s selling hot cocoa in Post Falls.
The 16-year-old was chosen to join the Honor Choir USA for a pair of performances in June on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Before he can go, he needs to raise $3,500.
With a little help, he's getting there.
Last month, he raised $760 selling bread, cookies and hot chocolate on a cold day outside his home.
“I was very surprised,” White said Wednesday. “I thought it was only going to raise like $200.”
Try triple that.
Family, friends and passersby stopped at 2111 N. Ninth St. to support his quest and buy hot cocoa made by Elijah White, and cookies and bread made by his mother, Kelly White, and grandmother, Terri Dupey.
It did so well, White will be out there again from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and probably again next month.
Honor Choir USA is selective.
It is designed for choral singers who have qualified for All-State or have been referred by their choral directors.
The son of Martin and Jelly White attends North Idaho STEM Charter Academy. He sings bass, the lowest male voice.
"This would be a very good opportunity for me," White said.
When they visit Oahu June 13-19, they will be singing before some of the finest college instructors in the country.
Their first performance will be on the battleship USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. The second will be at Kawaiaha’o Church, Hawaii’s oldest.
White is looking forward to his days in the sun, even if it means days in the cold of North Idaho.
"I love singing," he said.