When Richard Wylie bought his home in Centre County with the help of Housing Transitions in 1999, no one expected him to show his gratitude by organizing a benefit show to showcase local musicians and raise money for the organization.

But he did.

To celebrate Affordable Housing Awareness Week, Wylie, an accomplished classical guitarist and performer, will perform alongside his friends -- which include award-winning guitarist Andy Tolins, Annie Holmes (from the Dreamgirls production) and jazz guitarist Mac Himes -- to help the local nonprofit corporation Housing Transitions, Inc.

Housing Transitions, Inc. offers a myriad of housing services to Centre County residents, Susan Venegoni, development and community relations coordinator for Housing Transitions, said.

"It can be just about anything from emergency shelter for someone who's having a housing crisis, all the way to a first-time home buyer program," Venegoni said. "And a lot of services in between."

Wylie isn't the only one who is thankful for Housing Transitions' charitable services.

Along with being excited to play with a wide variety of musicians, Tolins said he is glad that Housing Transitions is around to help out.

"It's a good cause and Richard is a great guy. I'm honored he asked me to play and I'm looking forward to working with everyone involved," Tolins said.

And the Fifth Annual Evening of Music will also have a new home, thanks to the State Theatre.

"[The event] has been at Fairmount School and the high school for the first four years, but this year we've been able to bring it to the State Theatre. It's very exciting," Venegoni said.

Joe Apfelbaum, programming manager at the State Theatre, also shares in the excitement.

"The musicians are some of the best in the region. Richard Wylie is a local legend and a great musician," he said.

"This isn't merely an old-timer event. I'm really trying to let campus know that a lot of students will enjoy this."