School Holds Benefit Concert for Victims of Natural Disasters

On November 7, a benefit concert at Beverly's Shore Country Day School to aid victims of recent natural disasters raised more than $1,400 for two different relief organizations in the United States and Mexico. The event was sponsored by Shore's World Language Department.

The family-friendly musical evening featured faculty, student, and guest performers, and included screenings of videos from the relief organizations. The One America Appeal was created in September 2017 by five former U.S. presidents to assist all three recovery efforts from Hurricanes Harvey in Texas, Irma in Florida, and Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Funds donated to the One America Appeal are received in a special restricted account established by the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation to ensure 100 cents out of every dollar given go to assist the recovery from these highly destructive hurricanes. Fundación JUCONI is a Mexican nonprofit that supports children in street situations and develops solutions for girls, boys, young people, and marginalized families affected by violence. The JUCONI Program uses educational-therapeutic methodologies to help families recover from violent experiences, escape from poverty, and develop emotional, cognitive, and social skills that enable them to lead better lives.

Musical performances included popular songs and jazz standards, as well as classical works and original compositions presented by special guest musicians Borja Ramirez, tenor voice, and Guillermo Ortiz, guitar. Said an English teacher at Shore, Ellen Sargent, "What an amazing evening! I was blown away by the talent on display—what an amazing group of performers."

See the concert video below.