SEQUIM — Raising their voices in song, this group of local singers hopes to raise up the community as well.
The Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers hosts its annual benefit concert to support local charities at 4 p.m. Saturday at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave.
Admission is by donation and all proceeds will be passed on to a number of community groups.
Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.
The special guest is 9-year-old Ava Grace Peterson, who will sing “You Raise Me Up.”
The local youth trains with Sequim’s Kyra Humphries and has performed with the men’s group at Christmas concerts and spring shows, earning standing ovations.
The program also includes original songs and arrangements by director Michael Rivers, piano solo “I’ll Fly Away” performed by Penny Hall, small groups performing classic and contemporary gospel pieces, and an audience sing-along.
Karen Coles will provide signing for the hearing impaired.
‘Live’ CD coming
The concert of gospel music will be recorded and produced into a “Live” CD, the eighth professional recording by this vocal group that performs more than 20 times each season.
The Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit representing at least eight churches and denominations from across Clallam County.
The singers perform in churches, rest homes and retirement centers, performance halls and at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center.
Their mission statement is “to bring the good news of Jesus and his love through songs and personal stories.”
Each year the men conclude their season with a concert dedicated to financially helping others.
This year, funds are earmarked for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, Olympic Christian School and for medical debt relief for Heather Eims of PenPrint in Port Angeles, who suffered significant injuries earlier this year.
For more information, call or text 360-808-7050 or email to nmrivers@olypen.com.