x
Breaking News
More () »

2016 11Who Care Community Service Award Recipient - Donal Noonan

The director of Atlanta's Homeward Choir is the first winner of the 11Who Care Community Service Awards.

Members of the Atlanta Homeward Choir perform at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.

ATLANTA -- The director of Atlanta's Homeward Choir is the first winner of 2016 of the 11Who Care Community Service Awards.

Donal Noonan, the head of Atlanta's Homeward Choir, a choir made up of homeless men, has been recognized for his volunteer work in creating the choir.

"When we started, it was just a group of guys.There was so much homelessness everywhere that I needed to do something for the guys that I got to know everyday."

This Irish born classically trained musician asked some of Atlanta's homeless to come inside.

"That was what I knew, come in and sing with me, a couple of hours every week, nothing major."

Photos | Atlanta Men's Homeless choir sings joy through adversity

Nothing major. Or so he thought. The choir sang at city hall, on TV, more than a thousand packed the church for their Christmas concert. News of the homeless choir spread. People were so moved by the men.

Three years after Donal formed the non profit Homeward Choir, they sang at the White House.
"Seeing the guys stand in this grand foyer of the white house underneath the presidential seal singing the songs with their hearts open for all to see, and the smiles of dignitaries as they passed by. I'll never experience anything like that in my life. It was truly truly amazing."

Donal splits his life between his paid job with the church and his volunteering with the choir. When he found out he was chosen as a Community Service Award winner, the first thing he said was, "Oh my gosh, the guys are going to be so excited."

Noonan is helping to change the lives of the men in his choir. And they have taught him much.

"You don't judge a book by its cover. These men are so much more than homeless. They're hopeful. They're phenomenal and they're our brothers."

Each month this year, 11 Alive News is featuring an outstanding volunteer, an will give $1100 to their non profit.

To nominate an outstanding volunteer for the 11Alive Community Service Award 11Who Care, go 11Alive.com/CSA and click on Nominate a Volunteer.

LISTEN TO THE HOMEWARD MEN'S CHOIR PERFORM:
Singing "Go Tell it On The Mountain"
Singing "Noel"
Singing "Mary Had a Baby"

Before You Leave, Check This Out