A South Whidbey group which has been spending Monday lunch breaks singing and dancing at the Bayview Cash Store in an exercise to build energy and a sense of connection has now made another connection — this time with the community.

The Sing for Lunch Bunch last week contributed $100 to the No Spray Action Coalition, chosen as one of the sustainability organizations the singing group wish to help.

“I wanted to offer something besides our healthy vibrations to help sustain our beautiful community,” said Claudia Walker, the Sing for Lunch Bunch facilitator who calls the music Soul Food for the Heart and Planet.

“That’s why we are giving half our donations to a project working on sustainability issues. Laurie Keith (of WINS) said her group had several out-of-pocket expenses, so we thought we would give our first contribution to them.”

The Monday noon group, which also meets Thursdays at the Whidbey CyberCafe, was started by Walker “out of a need to respond to the 9-11 tragedy,” she said in a press release.

“Rather than feel victimized and powerless by these ominous world events I decided to do what I know best, sing. I’m learning to ‘sing my way through anything.'”

Walker says singing is a “human birthright with the power to transform our very cell structure. And singing with others moves us into a state of oneness and wholeness.” It is a simple way, she says, to confront separation, alienation and fear, which are the goals of terrorism.

Walker said it was Carolyn North, author, singer, dancer and arts promoter from Berkeley, Calif., from whom she learned the technique of warming up the body through simple dance movement and singing or sounding improvisationally. North has been a presenter here on the island.

Anyone can join in with the singing group, she said.

“This kind of singing requires no previous experience, just a willingness to open your heart and mouth and offer your sound to the song. You’ll feel great and more a part of this amazing life here on Whidbey.”

The group continues to meet Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. at Bayview and Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the CyberCafe. A $5 weekly donation is requested. The group will make a donation to the Whidbey Environmental Action Network at the end of February. For more information call Walker at 579-2279.