SHS Interact Club Presenting Bands to Benefit Journeys of Hope

High School Interact Club members are thinking globally but acting locally.

Last year's band benefit sent proceeds to Haitian relief projects.

This year's band benefit, on Thursday in the school's auditorium from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, will raise money for Journeys of Hope.

The North Shore nonprofit has helped over 100 homeless youth since it was started in 2007 by Andrew Acampora, the deacon at St. John's Church in Swampscott.

Interact members were both excited and a bit stressed, they said, as they prepared last week with art teacher Anita Balliro for the fast-approaching event.

Their main concern is drawing enough people so they can raise a good amount of money for Journeys.

The show will present band members from Swampscott and other North Shore towns.

The acts will include the SHS Art Wing Band, A Last Request, Jon Pearlstein, Spaceman Spiff, Luke Tobin, Dork, The Dupes and reach out!

Band show organizer Meg Wynne said the show has the added benefit of getting local musicians some stage time.

It gets them out of garages and into a public venue, she said.

All the proceeds, after the club pays for a police detail at the event, will go to Journeys of Hope.

The club members were looking forward to introducing the organization to classmates.

That introduction was to come at a Swampscott High assembly on Thursday where Tina, who was helped by Journeys of Hope, was scheduled to tell the students her story.

At least eight local bands will be performing covers and originals on March 22. Pizza and baked goods will be for sale.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.