The community is invited to enjoy an evening of music while supporting a good cause by attending a spring concert being offered by The Cottage, a nonprofit organization that supports women in crisis with dependent children as they search for permanent housing.

The concert will be held indoors on Friday, May 20, at the Hope Campus of Millersville Community Church, 242 Bender Road, Millersville. Food trucks, including Soulfully Famous, will be on-site from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. for people to purchase dinner before the concert, which will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. There will be ample free parking, and the venue is wheelchair-accessible.

Featured musicians will be church member Jay Eddie, a soloist performing country and gospel music; Grace Notes. a praise band from Wayside Presbyterian Church in Landisville; and Blues on the Loose, which performs blues music from the early 20th century through today. More information about the two bands can be found at http://www.facebook.com/waysidepc.praise and http://www.bluesontheloose.com, respectively.

The Cottage previously held a spring concert in 2019, but subsequent events were canceled due to the pandemic. "We had one fully planned and had to cancel in 2020. For this one, we have different (performers)," said Diane Duell, marketing chair and The Cottage co-founder.

Admission will be free, but a freewill offering will be received. There will also be a brief program describing The Cottage ministry.

Duell, along with Judy Schroeder, formed The Cottage Ministry of Millersville Community Church in 2017. Currently, the ministry is working with Good Samaritan Services (GSS), as well as social workers in the Penn Manor School District to identify families in need.

Duell noted that the charity recently helped a local family struggling with homelessness. "They were staying in hotel rooms, which is still considered homeless, and not good for children who are trying to focus on their education," said Duell.

The Cottage volunteers found the family affordable housing and helped the mother find a job she could walk to since she did not have transportation. "We found them a house in Millersville to rent. The landlord cut the rate of the rent to be more affordable to our renters," Duell said. "They now have a house they can stay in, and it is very stable for the children. Now that this family is self-sufficient, we want to help another family."

Future plans call for The Cottage to have its own housing facility. "Our initial goal was to have our own house for families to stay in. We are still trying to fundraise until we find our own house," Duell said. "(Maybe someone) has a house they would be willing to sell us, donate or rent or land we can build on?" Those who may be able to help out are asked to email millersvillecottage@gmail.com.

For more information about The Cottage and the spring concert, visit http://www.millersvillecottage.org or email dduell204@gmail.com or jfschroeder1@msn.com.