The vast majority of Americans are a few missteps and a bit of bad luck away from facing abject poverty.

The “Music and Memories: A Christmas Concert” performances of Vocal Spotlight running Dec. 9-11 at the Northland Performing Arts Center will emphasize, as the name implies, music and memories, but a portion of the show will also highlight just how economically vulnerable most people are.

Partway through the second act of the concert, which is being combined with a traditional Christmas dinner and silent auction, a video will be shown sharing the story of a young woman who, through no fault of her own, found herself on the edge of homelessness, according to Donnalynn Laver. The Upper Arlington area resident is artistic director of Vocal Spotlight, a veteran ensemble of Vaud-Villities.

America’s largest and longest-running musical show now makes its home at the Northland Performing Arts Center, 4411 Tamarack Blvd.

The video, which Laver will narrate, is intended to highlight the work done by Vocal Spotlight’s partner for the three dinner shows, the Salvation Army in Central Ohio.

The Salvation Army in Orlando, Fla., back in 1987, was instrumental in helping the woman whose story is told in the video, Laver said. The audience will be informed of her identity in what Laver called a “mystery reveal.”

Then it will be back to such traditional holiday fare from the eight-part-harmony Vocal Spotlights ensemble, including such favorites as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Silver Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Among the highlights of the concert, according to an announcement from Vaud-Villities marketing director Peggy Rennick, will be a tribute to the nation’s Armed Forces during the singing of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

The video was put together using stills and footage provided by the Salvation Army.

“We’re very excited about it,” said Kelli Trinoskey, community relations director for the Salvation Army in Central Ohio. “It’s going to be a nice concert and we’ve gotten a lot of calls about it. It’s been a nice partnership to kind of go out to our people.”

“One thing follows another and one bad thing can happen followed by another bad thing, and the next thing you know, you can find yourself in some pretty dire circumstances,” Laver said of the story told in the video.

“It’s not just the homeless,” she added. “It’s not just people in poverty situations. That can happen to anyone É and the Salvation Army is there to support people who do find themselves in that situation. The Salvation Army does incredible, incredible work on some incredibly narrow margins. They’re an extremely efficient organization, and their leadership is very committed to service.”

“It’s our hope and her hope that once this moving concert is in swing É that will move people to make donations,” Trinoskey said. “What’s nice is many organizations seek us out because we’re very visible, we have a very good track record for services and very tight administrative costs.”

“We’ve really enjoyed working with them,” said Erika Shemberg, the local Salvation Army’s development director.

Salvation Army bell-ringers will be on hand as concert-goers enter the Northland Performing Arts Center. The organization’s familiar red kettles will serve as centerpieces at the tables to facilitate donations.

“Music and Memories: A Christmas Concert” will have three performances:

• Friday Dec. 9, dinner buffet from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m.

• Saturday Dec. 10, dinner buffet from 5 to 6:15 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 11, buffet from 3 to 4:15 p.m., followed by the concert at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults are $45 for the dinner and concert, $20 for the concert only. Tickets for senior citizens and children are $42 for the dinner and concert, $19 for the concert only.

Ticket information is available by calling 262-7469 or online at www.vocalspotlight.com or www.vvproductions.com.

Vocal Spotlight will also participate in the Salvation Army’s “Giving Is Always in Fashion” event at Easton Town Center on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to Laver.

The event, which will feature 32 celebrity bell-ringers, will run from 2 to 6 p.m.