News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, February 14, 2011

AUGUSTA---Give It 4Ward has a surprise for a pretty dynamic couple this Valentine's Day. They have spent the last 8 years bringing young kids the gift of music. Candye has a surprise gift that is music to the ears.

"It's a surprise," cried Candye Smith. "Tickets to the Augusta Symphony."

Candye surprised Jan and Fin Hitchcock with the tickets at their monthly board meeting.

"He comes in at 7:30 in the morning and he teaches violin," said Candye. "He loves the symphony, and I'm going to treat him to the symphony."

"This is wonderful," said Jan. "When Candye shows up there is going to be a good surprise."

Fin and Jan grew the program at Heritage Academy from 5 to 47 students. They provided the violins. It was all free of charge.

"People thought, what are you doing?" recalled Mr. Hitchcock. "Especially parents, when they took the violins home."

It was their way of Giving It 4Ward over the past 8 years.

"We want our children to do that," said Jan. "They see the example of people who Give It 4Ward and they want to do the same thing."

If you like the sound of it all then stay tuned.

"I'm nowhere near done," said Candye. "You never know where Give It 4Ward will show up next."

Jan and Fin's big date night is this Saturday at the symphony.