UFAH organ dedication, fundraiser to support La Crosse area nonprofits

The first organ dedication coming up Friday to help raise money for 12 nonprofits in the La Crosse area.

La Crosse’s United Fund for the Arts and Humanities (UFAH) is organizing the dedication from 5-7:30 p.m. at the historic Bentley-Wheeler home (map).

UFAH Fundraiser and Organ Dedication
Pulling Out All The Stops For The Season
When: Friday 5-7:30 p.m.
Where: Bentley-Wheeler home (map)

Tom Fuchsen, assisted by Tom Houlihan, refurbished the historic 1960 Baldwin tube type chapel organ, which was originally at Westly United Methodist Church on 8th and King streets. It has been converted to a three manual Hauptwerk virtual pipe organ in the ballroom of the Historic Bentley-Wheeler home.

The two spent the last month turning the organ into virtual reality. What can be heard now is from digital recordings of well over 3,000 pipes of the organ that is still in use at a cathedral in Chicago.

Jay Lokken, Ken Riley and their families will host the organ dedication. Fuchsen will demonstrate the versatility of the instrument.

Music will be performed by organ player, Tom Behrenbeck, the La Crosse Girlschoir, La Crosse Chamber Chorale and Coulee Chordsmen.

Money raised will help 12 nonprofit arts and humanities organizations in the La Crosse area for the 2021 Campaign until Dec. 31.

UFHA beneficiaries

• La Crosse Coulee Chordsmen
• Great River Folk Festival
• La Crosse Youth Symphony Orchestras
• La Crosse BoyChoir
• La Crosse Chamber Chorale
• La Crosse Community Theatre
• La Crosse County Historical Society
• La Crosse Girlchoir
• La Crosse Symphony Orchestra
• Marie W. Heider Center for the Arts
• Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center
• Pump House Regional Arts Center

So far, UFAH has raised $112,000 for the 2021 Invest to Enrich Our Vibrant Lifestyles campaign. The goal is $130,000.

UFAH’s board, member groups and campaign chairs all work to make the Coulee Region rich in culture and to continue to improve the well-being of those who live in the area.

For more information about UFAH or to make a donation, visit www.ufah.org.