ASHLAND, Ky. — The annual Choir Fest will return to the Paramount Arts Center on Leap Day, Feb. 29.

This is the twelfth year for the event that is put on by Hillcrest-Bruce Mission.

The concert will feature praise teams from Grassland Community Church and Bagby United Methodist, gospel choirs from Ashland Christ United Methodist, Ashland First United Methodist and First Baptist Church, Russell, Kentucky, a bell choir from Advance Memorial United Methodist and a signing choir from Chesapeake, as well as a performance by area preschoolers.

Admission is free, but they will be collecting canned goods. They will also be taking a love donation to support the mission.

Donations from the event go to a number of purposes, including assisting families in the Pollard area of Ashland and beyond with free education/employment programs, preschool, adult education classes, college preparation, financial literacy classes and school supplies.

Eighteen people in their work placements have started college and 23 have started jobs. Over 300 individuals in Boyd, Greenup, Carter and Lawrence counties in Kentucky have been helped with their health needs such as a dental clinic, dentures, eye exams/glasses, hearing aids, diabetic supplies, cooking classes, nutrition classes, summer lunch program, substance use support groups and breast feeding support group. Additionally, they help over 225 families with their basic needs each month.

The mission also provided 321 Thanksgiving food baskets in 2019 and helped 407 children and 113 seniors with Christmas presents.

The Hillcrest-Bruce Mission also offer social/spiritual programs through their ladies Bible study, men’s group, youth group, camping ministries, homemakers and bingo.

To find out more, visit them on the web at “hillcrestbrucemission.com” and like them on Facebook at “hillcrestbrucemission” or by calling 606-324-5723 or by emailing director@hillcrestbrucemission.com.