Gospel by the Sea on June 12

GALVESTON — The ninth annual Gospel by the Sea Concert benefiting St. Vincent’s House will be at 6 p.m. June 12 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd.

The event supports the work at St. Vincent’s House, which serves the low-income population of Galveston.

Last year’s concert featured gospel heavyweight Yolanda Adams and James Fortune and FIYA. However this year, Michael Jackson, executive director of St. Vincent’s House, wanted to get back to the roots of the celebration by featuring local talent that didn’t get to perform last year.

“When we had the first concert in 2002, our goal was twofold,” Jackson said. “We wanted to bring world-class talent to our community at an affordable price and secondly to give local talent a professional venue to display their talent.”

Local favorites like City Wide Gospel Chorale, Voices of the Mainland, the Galveston Area Youth Choir, Iglesia Monte Calvario Choir, Avenue L Praise Group and newcomer’s Voices of the Spirit, under the directorship of Tony DiNuzzo, are set to perform. The Seeds of Tomorrow Children’s Choir from St. Vincent’s also will make an appearance.

The featured artists will be Nufocus of Dallas. The Rev. Charles Hudson of KTSU 90.9 will be master of ceremonies.

The late Edith “Mama” Randolph, who died last year at the age of 104 — will be featured in a tribute of song by David Mitchell, accompanied by pianist Carolyn Softly. Randolph made one of her final performances at the event last year. She was possibly the oldest gospel-recording artist in the world at the time of her death.

The Gospel of the Sea concert is one of the major fundraisers for St. Vincent’s House, a nonprofit organization.

“We’re perpetually seeking resources, human and material, to share their blessings to help keep our doors open,” Jackson said. “Folks can donate nonperishable food items and dry goods to the food pantry, educational toys to the preschool, individual time and talent — and of course cash donations are always accepted.”

St. Vincent’s has been able to maintain its core mission services after Hurricane Ike, Jackson said.

“Our child care has expanded to educational opportunities by adding the Galveston Alternative Education Program for high school aged students, as well as a GED/ESL program in conjunction with College of the Mainland,” Jackson said. “The clinic has also expanded with new changes, and we now have an after-hours clinic for the community, too.”

St. Vincent’s has been serving the island for the past 56 years and is in need of volunteers. Interested participants can stop by and visit to see what happens at the “oasis” — as Jackson calls it.

“We cannot do what we do without our supporters — and future supporters,” Jackson said. “We hope you will join us for some fine gospel music and to support the work of St. Vincent’s.”

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At A Glance

WHAT: Gospel by the Sea Benefit Concert

WHEN: 6 p.m. June 12

WHERE: Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston

TICKETS: General admission, $15; $10 for seniors and children

CALL: 409-763-8521

ONLINE: www.stvhope.org

DETAILS: Moody Gardens is offering Gospel by the Sea hotel packages. Call 888-388-8484. or visit www.moodygardenshotel.com.

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What St. Vincent’s House Does

In 2009, St. Vincent’s House:

• Served 6,182 clients in its free clinic

• Served 5,854 from its Loaves to Fishes food pantry

• Provided 102 families with help in the preschool program, which stayed at capacity of 64 children throughout the year

• Provided 9,729 trips with its van to help people get to medical appointments and to do other essential business

• Provided 134 people with emergency assistance to keep on utilities and prevent eviction at a cost of $17,955

• Provided 761 homeless clients with stays at the Salvation Army at a cost of $5,480

• Provided 22,407 units of care to citizens of Galveston County that needed their direct core services