A charity concert March 25 at Flint Center, which features traditional Chinese music performed by Chinese musical artist Chiffon Fu, will raise funds for the Organization of Special Needs Families.

Fu plays the gu-zheng, a Chinese harp that dates back 2,500 years. The instrument's 21 to 26 strings stretch across an oblong wood base. Fu will be joined by Taiwan ChinYuan Chinese Orchestra, which features other traditional Chinese instruments such as an er-hu (two-stringed fiddle), a pipa (four-stringed lute) and a Chinese flute.

Fu is a graduate of the National Taiwan Academy of Art and is a 1990 grand champion of the Taiwan National Gu-Zheng Competition.

Her husband, Warren Fan, is the concert director.

OSF opened in April 2002 to help children with special needs, such as those who have autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome or minor cerebral palsy. Chihua Wei and his wife, Lihuei, founded the organization, motivated by the needs of their autistic son, Jonathon.

"It's hard for special needs kids to fit in other programs," Chihua Wei says.

At OSF, programs are designed for and around children with special needs. Integrated programs help children develop intellectual, social and motor skills through the use of music, arts and crafts, reading, computers and sports.

Their programs include occupational therapy activities that help strengthen eye-hand coordination, gross and fine motor skills, flexibility and balance. They use integrated play and social groups, which help children develop language and social and play skills, while they also get exercise and have fun.

Since the organization's inception, more than 700 volunteers have donated their time. Wei wants to expand the program and services every year. His focus this year is on putting together a program that would help teenagers develop practical living skills such as learning how to cook, grocery shop or do laundry. There is a kitchen at OSF's office that needs to be refurbished to better accommodate a teaching environment.

Wei would also like to expand OSF's reach to senior citizens who have special needs. Money raised by the concert could help achieve these goals.

Tickets are $35, $60 and $100. Proceeds from the concert go to OSF. The purchaser also gets a tax deduction for the amount that goes to OSF. For example, a $100 VIP ticket puts $65 in the pot for OSF, and that $65 is also a tax deduction for the purchaser.

The $60 tickets net $25 for OSF and the taxpayer.

Showtime is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert can be ordered by calling 408.887.8782, 408.768.8413, or 650.400.7728; through the Flint Center box office, 408.864.8916 or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

Flint Center is at De Anza Community College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.