Claire Chapman
English 101
Interview Essay
November 12, 2015
Singing for a Cause
What do singing, cute animals, and a highway all have in common? The answer is usually “absolutely nothing.” However, a man from Trenton, Missouri, has undertaken a project that ties all three together in an interesting fashion. Bob Wimer is a man on a mission; his resolution to raise money for an animal shelter by singing under an overpass for 365 days straight is a noble cause that has impacted both the community and himself in more ways than one.
Mr. Wimer’s project was inspired by a cross between his love for the animals in the Green Hills Animal Shelter and his love for music. Blessed with a crystal clear operatic voice, Wimer had always enjoyed singing, and working as a kennel supervisor at the shelter fueled his caring nature for animals. Naturally, finding a link between the two would be the best of both worlds, so Wimer asked himself, “How can I use the talents God has given me to help the animals out?” The answer came to him in August in the form of an accidental cough that produced an amazing sound under a highway overpass while he was walking to work. This was the catalyst for his notion to sing underneath that overpass for an entire year with the idea that the odd occurrence would turn some heads; he then planned that any donations to the keep the project going would be given to help the animals at the shelter.
The project is garnering an increasing amount of support from the community. Each day, Wimer posts one video of himself singing under the overpass onto his website and other social media applications. He has appeared on several morning news shows and radio stations to raise awareness of his cause as well. The videos are well received, and since beginning the project in August, the Green Hills Animal Shelter has experienced an upsurge in adoptions and other donations. About the support received so far, Wimer says, “The media coverage just kind of took me aback… and I’m very happy that they have supported this.” Wimer also comments about the idea of having live audiences for his performances: “I encourage that. If people want to stop by and listen, that’s just fine with me!” He is grateful about the backing he has received so far and knows that a project of this length and magnitude requires support in order to continue.
On the subject of perseverance, Wimer’s ongoing support from his family and long-standing love for music are what encourage him to continue this endeavor. Music is what makes Wimer feel alive and purposeful. He has had over 30 years of singing lessons and has sung professionally on numerous occasions. Wimer elaborates, “If I don’t sing, and if I’m not called to music, I feel empty.” This love for music is supported by his wife and three children, who have stood by him every step of the way. Many might call a man crazy for having an idea for a project like this one, but when Wimer told his wife that he wanted to stand next to the highway and sing every day for a year, her first comment was a jokingly phrased, “Well, are you going to LIVE underneath the overpass?” This acceptance and support has allowed Wimer to catapult into the next phase of his project.
The overall goal for this task is to raise $500,000 for the Green Hills Animal Shelter, and the next step for achieving that goal is expanding publicity. To achieve this, Wimer believes the time has come to broaden the project’s range of influence to outside of the Missouri border. He says, “So now it’s time to spread out.” Though only $1,200 has been raised so far, Wimer says he is not nervous that the current goal will be met. He explains, “People are generally good, and they want to help out good things and be a part of that in some way, shape, or form.” This is just one of the many ideas Wimer has learned about the world and himself since beginning this project.
The project not only benefits the animal shelter, but it continues to teach Wimer new lessons about himself and about life in general. One of the brightest outcomes of this project is that it has revived Wimer’s passion and application of the music he loves so much. Wimer reflects, “It’s rekindled something in me that I thought I had lost back in my youth.” He goes on to tell about how society typically dictates that, at some point, every person must grow up and shed the far-flung dreams of his or her past in favor of living a structured, mundane, adult life. Wimer, though, has learned through this project that he does not have to choose between being a responsible, financially-stable adult and a creative thinker. He can be both. Wimer expands, “I put up creativity for a long time because I bought into the lie that the grownups told me that I shouldn’t be doing it because I couldn’t make money off of it.” Wimer has found a way to carry out his passions and normal day-to-day work in tandem, and he still manages to provide for charity and for his family.
Bob Wimer’s idea to raise money for the Green Hills Animal Shelter by singing a new song under an overpass every day for a year is both creative and bold. Mr. Wimer is showing the world one song at a time that people do not have to give up on their dreams to lead a successful life. His project will hopefully improve the lives of the animals in the shelter while also illustrating how life can remain passionate, creative, and full throughout its entirety.
English 101
Interview Essay
November 12, 2015
Singing for a Cause
What do singing, cute animals, and a highway all have in common? The answer is usually “absolutely nothing.” However, a man from Trenton, Missouri, has undertaken a project that ties all three together in an interesting fashion. Bob Wimer is a man on a mission; his resolution to raise money for an animal shelter by singing under an overpass for 365 days straight is a noble cause that has impacted both the community and himself in more ways than one.
Mr. Wimer’s project was inspired by a cross between his love for the animals in the Green Hills Animal Shelter and his love for music. Blessed with a crystal clear operatic voice, Wimer had always enjoyed singing, and working as a kennel supervisor at the shelter fueled his caring nature for animals. Naturally, finding a link between the two would be the best of both worlds, so Wimer asked himself, “How can I use the talents God has given me to help the animals out?” The answer came to him in August in the form of an accidental cough that produced an amazing sound under a highway overpass while he was walking to work. This was the catalyst for his notion to sing underneath that overpass for an entire year with the idea that the odd occurrence would turn some heads; he then planned that any donations to the keep the project going would be given to help the animals at the shelter.
The project is garnering an increasing amount of support from the community. Each day, Wimer posts one video of himself singing under the overpass onto his website and other social media applications. He has appeared on several morning news shows and radio stations to raise awareness of his cause as well. The videos are well received, and since beginning the project in August, the Green Hills Animal Shelter has experienced an upsurge in adoptions and other donations. About the support received so far, Wimer says, “The media coverage just kind of took me aback… and I’m very happy that they have supported this.” Wimer also comments about the idea of having live audiences for his performances: “I encourage that. If people want to stop by and listen, that’s just fine with me!” He is grateful about the backing he has received so far and knows that a project of this length and magnitude requires support in order to continue.
On the subject of perseverance, Wimer’s ongoing support from his family and long-standing love for music are what encourage him to continue this endeavor. Music is what makes Wimer feel alive and purposeful. He has had over 30 years of singing lessons and has sung professionally on numerous occasions. Wimer elaborates, “If I don’t sing, and if I’m not called to music, I feel empty.” This love for music is supported by his wife and three children, who have stood by him every step of the way. Many might call a man crazy for having an idea for a project like this one, but when Wimer told his wife that he wanted to stand next to the highway and sing every day for a year, her first comment was a jokingly phrased, “Well, are you going to LIVE underneath the overpass?” This acceptance and support has allowed Wimer to catapult into the next phase of his project.
The overall goal for this task is to raise $500,000 for the Green Hills Animal Shelter, and the next step for achieving that goal is expanding publicity. To achieve this, Wimer believes the time has come to broaden the project’s range of influence to outside of the Missouri border. He says, “So now it’s time to spread out.” Though only $1,200 has been raised so far, Wimer says he is not nervous that the current goal will be met. He explains, “People are generally good, and they want to help out good things and be a part of that in some way, shape, or form.” This is just one of the many ideas Wimer has learned about the world and himself since beginning this project.
The project not only benefits the animal shelter, but it continues to teach Wimer new lessons about himself and about life in general. One of the brightest outcomes of this project is that it has revived Wimer’s passion and application of the music he loves so much. Wimer reflects, “It’s rekindled something in me that I thought I had lost back in my youth.” He goes on to tell about how society typically dictates that, at some point, every person must grow up and shed the far-flung dreams of his or her past in favor of living a structured, mundane, adult life. Wimer, though, has learned through this project that he does not have to choose between being a responsible, financially-stable adult and a creative thinker. He can be both. Wimer expands, “I put up creativity for a long time because I bought into the lie that the grownups told me that I shouldn’t be doing it because I couldn’t make money off of it.” Wimer has found a way to carry out his passions and normal day-to-day work in tandem, and he still manages to provide for charity and for his family.
Bob Wimer’s idea to raise money for the Green Hills Animal Shelter by singing a new song under an overpass every day for a year is both creative and bold. Mr. Wimer is showing the world one song at a time that people do not have to give up on their dreams to lead a successful life. His project will hopefully improve the lives of the animals in the shelter while also illustrating how life can remain passionate, creative, and full throughout its entirety.
Works Cited
"Robert Wimer." Online interview. 20 Oct. 2015.
"Robert Wimer." Online interview. 20 Oct. 2015.