By SARA GIBONEY, UNK Communications

KEARNEY – On Carol Cope’s 100th birthday, someone asked her what the key to her longevity was.

She replied, “The key is three hours – one hour of piano practice, one hour of physical activity and one hour of prayer.”

According to longtime friend and University of Nebraska at Kearney music professor, Valerie Cisler, music was incredibly important to Cope.

Students from UNK will perform some of Cope’s favorite music at Northridge Senior Living Community at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. The performance is part of the event, Walk in the Copes’ Shoes, which takes place Sept. 12-13.

The second annual event aims to honor what would have been Carol Cope’s 105th birthday by encouraging people to do a random act of kindness in memory of Cope and her husband, Ron.

The event was started last year by a group of Carol Cope’s friends who call themselves the Sole Sisters. In addition to Cisler, they are Carolyn Menke, Sherry Morrow, Eileen Frieden, Lisa Reese Parish, Cindy Pickle, Judi Sickler and Gail Lowenberg.

“Carol was so involved in volunteer work and with organizations that would help people out,” Cisler said. “We thought, ‘How do you keep that spirit of giving alive in the community?’”

In addition to volunteer work, the Copes gave generously to CHI Health Good Samaritan, UNK, the Nebraska Safety Center, Kearney Family YMCA and other places.

The Sole Sisters created the event to continue the Copes’ spirit of giving.

Suggested acts of kindness include making an appointment to be a blood donor, dropping off non-perishable food at a food pantry, helping someone with yard work or writing a letter to someone who made a difference in your life.

The event at Northridge coincides with National Assisted Living Week, which has the theme “The Magic of Music.”

“Music has such a power and it’s a way to reach out to other people,” Cisler said. “Students also get something out of the event by sharing their music, which is why they practice.”

The Northridge performance will take place in the lobby and is free and open to the public.

Participants are encouraged to share their stories and good deeds on the Walk in the Copes’ Shoes Facebook page and tagging @CopeShoes on Twitter using #kindsoles.

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Source: Valerie Cisler, 308.865.8118, cislerv@unk.edu

Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu