S.P.I.R.E. — Special People in Religious Education — is bringing bluegrass music to Albert Lea Saturday night.

The Alzen Family Bluegrass Band will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Assemblies of God Church, 1540 S. Shore Drive.

The Alzens hail from Roberts, Wis. The Alzen children play fiddle, mandolin, bass and banjo to make family-oriented bluegrass and gospel music with four-part vocal harmonies.

There is no charge to attend, but an offering will be taken to help defray expenses.

Refreshments will be served following the concert by S.P.I.R.E. for a time of fellowship and a chance to meet the Alzens.

According to S.P.I.R.E. board member Judy Raatz, some family members heard the family play and suggested them for a concert.

“They’re very enjoyable,” Raatz said, adding it’s the first time they’ve performed in Albert Lea.

The group was the winner of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association 2006 Family Area Talent Contest.

This is one of two concerts S.P.I.R.E. sponsors throughout the year.

S.P.I.R.E. is unique to Freeborn County. It began in 1969 as a cooperative effort of many people to enhance the spiritual training and fellowship of people with developmental disabilities. In 1989, S.P.I.R.E. became incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a board of directors.

Today, there are between 50 and 60 people involved in three Bible classes, Raatz said.

“For our day camp in June, we had about 70 people,” she said.

Raatz stressed that these classes are for adults. “We found that generally, once they are out of Sunday school, churches don’t have anything for adults,” she said.

Two churches, Calvary Baptist and Crossroads Evangelical Free Church, do offer regular weekly Sunday school classes for developmentally disabled adults, but they are connected to S.P.I.R.E. in that they share some volunteers.

S.P.I.R.E. has about 25 volunteers and a small board of directors. The organization is always looking for more people to help in a variety of ways, including bookkeeping and records, planning activities, serving as board members, serving cookies and punch at Bible study, preparing and serving food, leading music, decorating and more.

Raatz herself got involved with S.P.I.R.E. when she was working in a group home. She said she gets a lot of satisfaction from working with the developmentally disabled.

“They’re a fun bunch and it’s a joy to work with them,” she said. “They’re loving, appreciative, open and honest.”

Anyone who would like to get involved can call Raatz at 373-2795. There will also be information available at the concert.