Organizers of the Christmas in Selma concert received a big helping hand Thursday when a group of teen-age boys from the Dallas County Boot Camp showed up to do the dirty work.

The 12 youths &045; all between the ages of 12 and 17 &045; spent nearly four hours mopping, sweeping, and hanging up

Christmas lights in the Larry Stripling Performing Arts Center in preparation for the concert tonight at 7 p.m.

Mattie Davis, one of the concert organizers, said the County Commission had asked the boot camp to help them get things organized before the big night.

Boot Camp Officer Arthur Pickett said doing service work for the community is nothing new to the teens. They spend a lot of time doing yard work for several places and building houses for Habitat for Humanity.

When they are not out doing good deeds, Pickett says, the teens spend time in the classroom learning about self-development, anger awareness, and drug awareness.

All of the teens who attend the boot camp are from the Dallas County area.

Davis said she was thrilled to have the group show up and do so much work.

This latest project was the last one for the teens before they leave for Christmas break.

Davis said this is the second year the Christmas concert is being held at the Performing Arts Center.

Themed &uot;An Evening of Elegance,&uot; the concert is sponsored by Robes and Gowns of Selma, in cooperation with the city and participating merchants.

The free event was inspired by the annually televised &uot;Christmas in Washington&uot; in Washington, D.C.

Davis said those who attend can expect to see choirs, instrumentalists, soloists and many other musical acts.