Teenagers from around the Houston area will band together March 14 in Sugar Land for a concert that will raise cash for Compassion International’s Haiti Earthquake Relief fund.

Sugar Land resident Sean Hardin, a 14-year-old eighth-grader at LOGOS Preparatory Academy, said he was just messing around on the social networking site Facebook when his idea to hold a concert became reality.

Sean Hardin, 14, of Richmond is planning a musical benefit to raise funds for Haiti. Mary Sarah Gross, 14, of Richmond will perform with Sean and other talented artists. Suzanne Rehak photo"It was just a thought, nothing I had planned out, but I sent a message on Facebook saying ‘I’ve been thinking about this, I don’t know where we’ll do it, but it would be cool,’" Sean said. "I got really good feedback."

What is Compassion International?

Compassion International is an organization that provides food, clothing and education to kids in poverty around the world.

Sean’s mom, Sheri, said the organization was helping 60,000 Haitian children before the earthquake struck, and now the need is much greater.

"I’m so impressed Sean’s friends are willing to give up the Sunday of their spring break to perform," Sheri said. "These are all professional kids. They’ll be rehearsing and practicing. They want to give a professional show."

Sean was able to recruit performers through his affiliations with musical theater groups in the Houston area, including Theatre Under the Stars in downtown Houston, Masquerade, The Alley, Houston Grand Opera and Fort Bend Theatre.

Sean, who appeared in the musical Annie March 5-7 at Fort Bend Theatre, said he rounded up donations to rent space at Lakeview Auditorium in Sugar Land, which seats 400.

"We have the rent completely paid off," Sean said. "I got donations from my eye doctor, orthodontist, pediatrician and the lady that cuts my hair, too."

Others will be helping

Sean said the Williams Trace Baptist Church youth group will run a concession stand, and West Side Recording Studio of Sugar Land will provide the sound system.

Sean will perform his own original single "Together as One" at the concert, as well as "This is the Moment" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde.

Joining him at the fundraising concert is Mary Sarah Gross, a 14-year-old Richmond resident who toured 40 cities with Kidz Bop when she was 12.

"I had a solo part, so I got to step forward and sing by myself," Gross said. "I could hear the audience singing with me, and that’s when I realized I wanted to be a singer for life."

Gross, who began taking guitar lessons six months ago, will sing an original song she released on her recent album, as well as "Temporary Home" by country sensation Carrie Underwood.

"Ever since she won American Idol, she’s been an idol to kids my age," Gross said. "She’s such a great singer and has a beautiful voice. Someday I want to be just like her."

Some of the other performers

Spring resident Jackson Perrin, an 18-year-old senior at Klein Collins, said he’s excited to be one of more than 20 performers who have signed up to donate their time and talents.

He said he’ll perform "I’m Alive" from the musical Next to Normal.

"I don’t know if it’s fitting so much as it’s a real performing type of song, and I can show what I have as much as I can," said Perrin, who plans to major in musical theater when he heads to college this fall.

Aaron Boudreaux of The Woodlands is still finalizing his song selection, but he’s leaning toward "Live Like We’re Dying" by Kris Allen, who won American Idol last season.

Boudreaux, a 17-year-old junior at College Park High School, said the song is inspirational.

"I know the Haiti earthquake hit them really hard," Boudreaux said. "I want to sing something to lift their spirits and know there is still hope."

WANT TO GO?

What: Compassion International fundraising concert

When: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14

Where: Lakeview Auditorium, 314 Lakeview Ave., Sugar Land

Tickets: Available at the door, $15 minimum donation recommended

For more information: www.seanhardin.net or e-mail Kids4Haiti@gmail.com