Manheim's Zion Lutheran Church will be filled with music at a May 5 concert to benefit the Water Street Rescue Mission.

The Heritage for the Homeless concert will start at 3 p.m. and will feature 11 performers, including the Manheim Central High School Jazz Band and local musicians. There is no charge for admission. Donations will be accepted.

The concert at the church was organized by Manheim Central senior Cammie Johanning, who also will perform both as part of the Manheim Central Jazz Band and as an individual performer. 

She describes the music she plans to play as a mix of styles including blues and contemporary. It's all family-friendly. She also is writing a poem about her passion to aid the homeless. The poem will be read to open the concert.

Johanning's experience with homeless in Washington, D.C., two years ago sparked an interest in holding the benefit concert.

She said a visit to N Street Village was part of a weeklong theological education program for youth at the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary.  Founded in 1972 by members of Luther Place Memorial Church, N Street Village is a community of empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women.

"One of the women told me her story, and I felt compassion for her situation," Johanning said. "I realized that there are people in my own community that may be experiencing some of the same things and wanted to do something to help. Since I'm a musician, it seemed fitting to share musical talent to raise funds."

She chose the church, at 2 South Hazel Street,  for the concert because  it's her home church and it has a riser or stage-like area in the sanctuary.

The first Heritage for the Homeless concert was held in 2010 and raised $500, which she gave to the Water Street Rescue Mission. 

"Presenting the check was really fulfilling to me — I felt that I can make a difference in someone's life," Johanning said.

The concert's name is derived from her desire to help others.

"All of us have a past, but we need to work together to have a future," she said.