Courage to Shine-LDS Musicians Lift Bulgarian Orphans Special fund-raising concert with Sam Payne, Mindy Gledhill, Peter Breinhold, Russ Dixon from ‘Colors’ will be held Mar 5 in the BYU Wilkinson Center Ballroom. See below for details. When popular Latter-day Saint musicians Sam Payne and Mindy Gledhill travelled to Bulgaria last March, they weren’t quite prepared for the experience they had. They’d been thoroughly briefed on the poverty they’d see; the illness, the fear, and the despair they might witness. But one lesson they had to experience for themselves. The joy. “Mindy and I played for audiences of orphans who had likely never seen a concert in their lives,” commented Sam. “In music-time workshops we saw the faces of toddlers as they touched a guitar for the first time or clapped along with harmonica music. We swapped American pop songs for Bulgarian pop songs with bright, talented teenagers in impromptu gatherings-teens with all kinds of songs in their heads, but no one to share them with. We held those kids in our arms and in our hearts.”
This unique trip, brainchild of One Heart Bulgaria’s president, Deborah Dushku Gardner, had a twofold mission: to bring music into the lives of Bulgaria’s orphans, and to prepare for a benefit concert to improve the living conditions of the orphans they visited. The group, which also included manager Jeremy Barron, volunteer photographer Brad Luppino, and OHB trustee, Kelly King Anderson, visited seven orphanages in five cities and held concerts in historical buildings throughout Western Bulgaria. The concerts, meant to brighten the lives of hundreds of children in orphanages throughout western Bulgaria, also had a huge impact on the OHB group. Each member of the group, of course, has a unique story to tell. Brad, who photographed the trip, was no stranger to humanitarian service. He began volunteering as a photographer, taking time off from his professional studio in Kentucky, after he and his wife adopted a little girl from Kyrgystan. “We wanted to give back,” he said, mentioning previous humanitarian trips to Guatemala and Peru. But this trip to Bulgaria was particularly moving even to that seasoned traveler. “When I saw the little babies in Stara Zagora-when I thought that One Heart Bulgaria might change their lives-I wanted to help even more. When you see children like that, you want to do whatever you can to help.”
Sam was a huge hit, particularly with the older children, some of whom got to try out his guitar in impromptu jam sessions. Mindy charmed audiences everywhere, cradling children and touching hearts with her beautiful songs. Jeremy, who became known as chicho (uncle), managed the sound system, and Deborah and Kelly worked with the various orphanage directors and One Heart Bulgaria’s field director, Nickolai Gavazov, to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Even though both Deborah and Kelly have traveled to Bulgaria many times, this trip was unforgettable. “I love seeing the children again,” Deborah says. “Bulgaria is like my own far-away family. Each child I meet leaves an impression on my heart.”
Making dreams come true One Heart Bulgaria was well positioned to make this trip a reality. As the second-largest foundation for orphans in the country, OHB meets the needs of hundreds of children each day, providing food, hiring teachers and babi (grandmothers) to interact with the children, arranging for renovations on dilapidated buildings, and supplying necessary items like washers, dryers, and medical equipment. Lifesaving hydrocephalus operations are performed with shunts donated through OHB, and last year three Bulgarian doctors visited Boston to attend meetings about new neurological techniques.
The focus of this trip, however, was slightly different. Although it’s important-vitally important-to provide the necessities of life to these children, they are also starving for beauty, for hope, and for love. Sam articulated this well when he commented, “As the days passed, we were struck by the power and importance of artful endeavors in lives that need lifting. As musicians, we’ve long been converted to that ideal. We place a lot of stock in it. And we can report with confidence on what we believe to be the very real and enduring potency of the musical moments we shared with our new friends.” New One Heart Bulgaria initiatives, including music, dancing, sewing, and sports, reflect the desire to provide opportunities-not just food and medicine-for these precious orphans. “Our far-away children,” as Deborah says.
Celebrate with “Courage to Shine” The tour was a year ago. Passports were put away, newer experiences have filled journal pages, and the needs of everyday life fill our days. But there are some memories that don’t dim. There are some faces that never fade. There are some songs that need to be sung again, reminding all of us why we sing. And now we invite you to come and sing with us-celebrate the work done by One Heart Bulgaria at a benefit concert held on the one year anniversary of their trip. The March 5th concert will start at 7pm in the BYU Wilkinson Center Ballroom, where Sam and Mindy will be joined by Peter Breinholt, Russ Dixon from “Colors,” Brittany Darrohn from “Critter,” and Miss Utah 2009. It will be an evening of music you don’t want to miss and faces you won’t be able to forget.
No Comments | Post or read comments FEATURES |
December 15, 2025
December 15, 2025
