A local student is combining her talent and heart for charity to make a big difference for a local organization.

Macy Miller, an eighth grade student at Lakeview Middle School has been volunteering Friday mornings at Fellowship Missions for approximately three months. Miller was inspired to donate her time after a presentation at her school was given by Fellowship Missions Director Eric Lane. According to Lane, Miller visits the homeless shelter early in the morning before her school day begins.

Though Miller has made a difference through her volunteer work, she did not stop her efforts to benefit the charity there. When approached by teacher Grace McDillon, a seventh to eighth grade language arts teacher and director for the school’s drama group, as to the possibility of a play benefiting a charity, Miller passionately campaigned for the shelter to receive funds. Miller’s enthusiasm and dedication to the organization ultimately swayed McDillon to select the shelter as the beneficiary of a play conducted by students at the middle school.

The play, titled “Snowed In” features the talent of 17 students in the drama group. According to McDillon, the play was written by a friend and tells the stories of multiple groups of people caught in a snowstorm who make a difference in the lives of others despite the snowy conditions. Fourteen students will act in the play with three performing an intermission skit as well.

The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, in the Lakeview Elementary auditorium. Admittance for adults is $5, $3 for students and staff and free admission for volunteers and associates of Fellowship Missions. All proceeds raised will directly benefit Fellowship Missions and will be used to help supply the shelter and offset operating costs.

In April of 2013 the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals approved a petition for a homeless shelter at 1520 E. Winona Ave. in the former Ken Anderson Films Building (see Warsaw Approves Homeless Shelter). The shelter opened this fall and has since serviced numerous men, women and children. Lane noted that the shelter has been full, even at times over the set occupancy, during the recent winter months.

The shelter’s operating hours are 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information, call Lane at (574) 371-6448 or visit fellowshipmissions.net. For a ride to the shelter, or if shelter is needed after 8 p.m., call (574) 268-9555 or email [email protected], or find Fellowship Missions on Facebook.