The Rose of Sharon International Choir of the Way from the Truth and the Life Christian Center in Decatur didn’t win the Best Church Choir in America crown, but they got money.

The 35-member group snatched a $1,000 grand prize for donating the most cellphones to aid domestic violence victims during the competition’s mobile phone drive.

The phone drive was part of Verizon Wireless Presents “How Sweet the Sound: The Search for the Best Church Choir in America” regional celebration Oct. 2 at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

The Decatur choir, which vied in the competition’s Small/Medium category, donated 516 wireless phones to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine.

It was one of eight singing groups from metro Atlanta and Macon to compete in the regional celebration.

The Hope Cathedral Church of God in Christ Choir won the Atlanta Small/Medium category, and the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir was the Atlanta Overall/Large Category/Verizon Wireless V CAST People’s Choice Award regional winner.

They will compete in the Nov. 7 “How Sweet the Sound” finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

During their one-day stint in the competition, the Rose of Sharon International Choir, whose church is at 2255 Miller Road, performed Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain” in front of 10,678 screaming gospel music fans.