PARIS – It’s show time.

The Oxford Hills Teens for Christmas annual benefit concert to raise funds to support the program is set for Friday, Nov. 30, beginning at 7:30 in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School on Route 26 in Paris.

“If people loved the Responsive Pet Care benefit, they’ll love this one,” said Cynthia Wescott, the show’s musical director and a longtime music teacher at the high school. “We have some unusual surprises in this show.”

The Teens for Christmas program was developed in 2000 to expand on a Kids for Christmas program that is coordinated by Gerri Price of Community Counseling in Paris. The kids program began in 1979 servicing about 800 children up to age 12 each year, said Jean Delamater, the teenage program co-coordinator with Sherry Keaten of Community Concepts.

But then, said Delamater, the question arose, “Where do they go when they become 12?” The first year, the Teens for Christmas serviced about 60 teens.

The criteria for program eligibility is simple, she said. Children must be between the ages of 13 and 18, meet economic guidelines and be full-time students at either the Oxford Hills Middle School or the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

“We help maintain their dignity through all this,” said Delamater of the process whereby parents, teachers or other significant adults in the teens life apply for the program through forms that are available now at the school guidance offices, Community Concepts in Marketplace Square, Paris and at Books N Things at 430 Main St. in Norway.

Funding for the program is strictly by volunteers in the Oxford Hills community through events such as the benefit concert, which is the program’s largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds go back into the program.

This is the eight year that Wescott, a longtime supporter of teens and music in the community, has coordinated the event

Tickets are available at Books N Things in Norway and the high school store. Any unsold tickets may be available at the door, said Delamater. General admission is $10, seniors, $8, and children and students, $5.

Last year the teenage program aided more than 190 young people. Attempts are made to spend about $50 to $55 for each child. “We really need their support,” said Delamater of the community. “I can’t say enough beautiful things about our community and their support. We always manage to pull this program off.”

Wescott said the concert will feature the Benefits Chorus, which includes about 50 people from ages “12 to 112,” the Cherub Choir, made up of youngsters in third grade, puppets , dancers from Jentempo Dancers and Artmoves Dancers, soloists, the drama classes performing an original creation and a huge parade of the Three Kings and their entourage going to Bethlehem, plus, said Wescott, some extraordinary lighting.

“It’s going to be great,” she said enthusiastically. “I think it’s going to be such a fun show, and it’s for such a worthy cause.”

Anyone with questions may call Delamater at 539-4587 or Sherry Keaton at the Community Concepts office at 739-6579. Donations may be mailed to Delamater at 424 Pleasant St., Oxford, ME 04270.

Questions about the Kids for Christmas program can be directed to Gerri Price at Community Concepts at 539-4011. Applications are available at Community Concepts.