The days may be getting darker and the economy is still pretty gloomy, but come Sunday, Anne Pell and friends will be spreading some light across the island.

Pell and friends will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Grace Episcopal Church, 8595 E. Day Rd., in a benefit concert to provide enrichment opportunities to island youth.

The “For Our Children” concert was midwifed three years ago by Pell and Ann Strickland, music and art director at Grace Church, as a way to raise money for the Children’s Enrichment Fund. The fund is managed by Helpline House to provide financial assistance to young people who interested in art and music.

“Art and music are the first things to get slashed in the schools, which means people turn to the private sector,” Pell said on the phone Wednesday. “I know music teachers who have lost students because a parent lost a job. I’ve given scholarships to my students in the past, but I wanted to do something bigger.”

The fund, created by Pell, provides financial support for a wide range of after-school and seasonal programs such as private and group lessons in music, dance and theater, summer camps, Boys & Girls Club membership, sports fees, band gear and more.

“It’s pretty broad,” Pell said. “If a kid wants to go to a science fair, it’s a resource.”

As long as it enriches life, Pell’s happy. In fact, the theme for this year’s concert is “happiness” she said.

When she got together with Bainbridge Island vocal group “Side by Side” several months ago to talk about performing together, many of the pieces they suggested had the word “happy” in the title.

“It’s perfect; definitely upbeat,” she said.

Pell, an accomplished pianist who has accompanied the Bainbridge Chorale for 13 years, will open Sunday’s show along with Alan Simcoe on guitar, John Lester on drums and Neil Conaty on bass. “Side by Side” will perform a few selections with the quartet, followed by a few numbers sung a cappella. Pell’s quartet returns to the stage to accompany jazz singer Kimberly Brown who will close the show.

“It’s so much fun,” Pell said. “All the musicians are willing to donate their time. Everybody donated everything; 100 percent of the money collected, every penny, goes directly to Helpline House.”

Admission is by a suggested donation of $15.

Helpline House, the island’s non-profit that offers an umbrella of social services, invites the community to become part of the circle of giving and receiving help.

Pell was on the receiving end of that help in the past, and the concerts are another way to give back.

“It’s such an important part of the community,” she said.

For concert information, contact Anne Pell at apell@bainbridge.net.

For more information about Helpline House, visit its website at www.helplinehouse.org.

Enriching

Jazz pianist Anne Pell and friends – Alan Simcoe, John Lester and Neil Conaty – Side By Side choral group and jazz vocalist Kimberly Brown will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Grace Episcopal Church, 8595 NE Day Rd. in a concert fundraiser.

Ticket price is a suggested donation of $15. Tickets are available at the door.

For more information, contact Pell at apell@bainbridge.net.