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Menlo School hosts Lighthouse for Blind benefit concert

Menlo School will host "Too Marvelous for Words, the Magic of Johnny Mercer," a benefit for Lighthouse for the Blind, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, and Sunday, Jan. 13, in the Spieker Ballroom at Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso Ave. in Atherton. Suggested donation is $15.

The benefit will feature Steve Gill, emeritus teacher at Menlo, his daughter Anne and "Friends of Annie": current and former Menlo students, who have sung in previous Lighthouse concerts. They include voice teacher Sharon Davis, former Menlo music director Linda Jordan, and Kari Hall, Robert Hinkson, John Jordan, Andy Kitt, Karen Linford, Jennifer Mitchell, Matt Pick, Mollie Thompson and Mark Warren.

After graduating from Los Altos High School in 1997, Anne Gill was in a near-fatal car accident that left her blind and brain-injured. Mr. Gill, a veteran singer with local theater groups, was inspired to organize the concerts in appreciation for the Lighthouse for the Blind summer camp in Napa for visually impaired adults with other disabilities, which his daughter has enjoyed.

Since Mr. Gill organized the first benefit concert in 1999, more than $73,000 has been raised in donations, which have allowed dozens of adults to receive full or partial scholarships to attend Enchanted Hills Camp.