Fresh off the 'heels' of her "Shoe Offering" shoe drive with  DFW Media Mogul Kenneth Mosely, Marica Chisolm has take her charity drive a 'step' further.

Anyone who's ever interacted with praise and worship leader Marica Chisolm, quickly learns about her passion for fashion, especially shoes. This holiday season, Marica is using her zeal for footwear to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

"In every season, I want to bring inspiration and encouragement to someone's life. Particularly so during the holidays because I've learned that the holidays aren't the best of times for everyone," said Marica.

Motivated by her desire to help, the Tyscot songstress called various shelters in her hometown of Atlanta, GA to find out about their most pressing needs.

Out of this came the idea to organize a Shoe Drive for the Holidays to benefit families that were in need of a most-necessary-but-sometimes-forgotten clothing accessory, shoes.  

Chisolm called upon various local churches and fellow recording artists to help out. During the event, she collected more than 100 pairs of shoes as well as a monetary donation. All proceeds and shoes benefited the Atlanta Mission.  

"The shoe drive was the least I could do to help someone. I was inspired to do the drive one Sunday during service," said Chisolm, "I love shoes - most of my friends and those that follow me on social media know that - and I wanted to fill what I considered to be a void in social outreach: shoes. We do coats, blankets and clothing, but I don't often see people asking for shoe donations." 

A big advocate for bettering her community, Marica typically involves herself in charitable efforts close to her heart. As in her current single, "Used", she constantly seeks ways in which her gifts, talents and interests can be used to spread God's love.

"I think that's where all of us can be used by God and blessed as well - right in the area of our passion. Take your passion, cultivate it, and use it to make the world a better place," said Chisolm.

So what's next for the charitable songstress? She is currently prepping for a multi-city promotional run in support of the national release of 'Simply Worship' on January 28th. To see when Marica Chisolm will be in your city, please visit www.tyscot.com

Leon Lacey is known as a talented producer, songwriter, composer and playwright. He’s worked with the crème of the crop in Gospel and ministry circles including Hezekiah Walker, JJ Hairston and Bishop TD Jakes.  Now Lacey is presenting his Christmas musical, Freshly Orchestrated Christmas, to ring in the holiday season.  Featuring Gospel artists Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, James Hall and The Singing Sensations, the one-night only event will be presented on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Reid Temple AME Church’s Glenn Dale Campus  (11400 Glenn Dale Blvd., Glenn Dale, MD 20769 – 301.352.0320) at 7:30PM.  Tickets for the musical can be purchased by going to LeonLacey.com.
 
Freshly Orchestrated Christmas is a unique musical retelling of the classic Christmas story.  Lacey says, “Through this musical presentation, I want to show people the vastness and relevance music has to offer. An orchestra is just as cool as a rock star, and orchestral music, urban or traditional, promotes education”.  In addition to the stunning orchestral performances, the annual concert is a benefit for Lacey's Never Say I Can't Performing Arts Center.  Many will enjoy not only the dynamic performances from the guest artists, but also the different styles and unique arrangements scored by Leon Lacey, who’s the conductor for the evening. 
 
The night’s performance is highlighted by the Urban Orchestra, also known as The Freshly Orchestrated Music Society.  Formed 4 years ago, the forty instrumentalists consist of players who are music teachers, performing artists, and students (including exchange students).  The orchestra members hail from all parts of the United States and the world including Europe, South America, The West Indies, Japan and Korea.
 
The vision for Freshly Orchestrated Christmas came to Lacey after Kim Burrell asked him to orchestrate 5 Christmas shows at Lincoln Center in New York City.  With each performance a rousing success, Lacey wanted to bring the experience to the Washington, D.C. area.  Lacey, who has known Tye Tribbett for over 15 years, was excited to have the Gospel trailblazer as a part of the event, too.  In fact, Lacey was the orchestral arranger on Tribbett's latest CD, Greater Than.
 
He says, “The Freshly Orchestrated Christmas Show is like experiencing what a movie soundtrack sounds like performed live with one of the world's greatest vocalists, Kim Burrell. Also, the energy of Tye Tribbett combined with the power of a full orchestra accompanying his popular hit songs such as ‘Victory’, ‘He Turned It’, and ‘If He Did It Before’ will leave the audience clamoring for more.”  For more information about Freshly Orchestrated Christmas or to purchase tickets, log on to www.LeonLacey.com.