Students of All Ages to Perform at Benefit Concert

Eighth-graders, high schoolers, and college students will perform next weekend at the third annual Music of Acceptance concert at .

The concert, which will be held on Saturday, June 9 from 4 to 7 p.m., will benefit the Kids Helping Kids program, a local initiative that allows kids to mentor their peers in activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and reading.

Ian McCleary, 20, of Morris Plains, started the concert three years ago with the help of his friends, Marc Trignano and Tom Washington. Rita McCleary, Ian's mother, said the three students created the event to give young performers the opportunity to perform, and to also do something that helps others.

In the past two years, the profits from the concert have been split between Autism Speaks and Kids Helping Kids. This year, all proceeds will go to the Morris Plains peer mentoring program.

About $250 was raised last year for the Kids Helping Kids, and all the money was used to create a talent show at .

Ian McCleary volunteered at last year's talent show, and after he saw how much of an impact the kids were getting from the money raised, he decided to give all proceeds to Kids Helping Kids this year.

Melissa Gibson, the founder of Kids Helping Kids and also the in the borough, said she chose to use the money for a talent show because she wanted to take Ian's concept of talent and performance and give the opportunity to the kids involved.

"We wanted to use his donations to start a new program that really highlights the talents of kids and encourage them to get up there and perform someday," Gibson said.

Gibson said that last year's talent show was a success, so the program organizers are looking to use the profits again to put on another show next year.

The performers at the concert next week will sing songs from a variety of genres. Some will even perform their own songs that they wrote, and others will do covers.

"We're very thankful to Ian and to all the performers who do this and donate their time," Gibson said. "It's very motivating for kids to see them perform and to think about themselves on stage one day."

Rita McCleary said that the first year about $300 was raised, and the second year about $400. She said they're hoping for more this year.

The event is free, but donations are encouraged. Snacks and drinks will be sold at the concert, and the proceeds from that will also go to Kids Helping Kids.