WAVERLY -- A concert featuring Simon Estes and choirs from Wartburg College and Waverly-Shell Rock High School struck a responsive chord Sunday, raising more than $33,200 for flood relief efforts.

More than 1,000 people attended Voices of Hope in Neumann Auditorium at Wartburg, which benefited eight churches in the area and individuals recovering from the high water.

"I was gratified by the large crowd and their generosity," Estes said in a prepared statement.

He performed four solo numbers to standing ovations and was called back for a fifth song. He later joined the massed choir for "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Estes proposed the concert as a way to help the community where he lives. The world-class opera singer serves as a distinguished professor and artist-in-residence at Wartburg. His daughter, Tiffany, is also a student at the college.

The concert also included the Wartburg Choir, Castle Singers, Ritterchor, St. Elizabeth Chorale and Chapel Choir and the Waverly-Shell Rock Chamber Choir.

Donations at the event topped $11,500, which was added to offerings from Wartburg's worship service Sunday and donations for day passes to the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center. The CUNA Mutual Foundation and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans each provided $10,000 as well.

"It is gratifying to see how businesses, organizations, the city, the community and the college have come together in mutual support during the flood and its aftermath and again for this concert," said Scott Leisinger, the college's vice president for institutional advancement.

Donors still can contribute. Make checks payable to the Waverly-Shell Rock Flood Relief Fund with Voices of Hope in the memo line. Donations are also accepted at First National Bank of Waverly, State Bank of Waverly, Security State Bank, Veridian Credit Union and the United Way Office, P.O. Box 271, Waverly, IA 50677.