FARMINGTON — Magician Michael Smilek has volunteered his talents for a magic show to raise funds for the new Western Maine Homeless Outreach.

Smilek will perform in Show of Wonder from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Grange Hall in West Farmington. Musician Todd Grindle of the Mad Mulligans will provide background music, Smilek said.

Admission is by donation and all proceeds go to Franklin County’s first shelter, which opened Nov. 11 at the Living Waters Assembly of God Church on the Wilton Road. The money will pay for items such as bedding, food and toiletries.

The shelter’s operation is going well, Rachel Jackson Hodsdon, president of the outreach board, said. One of two families that has stayed at the shelter since it opened is preparing to move to permanent housing, she said. The goal of the outreach is provide space and time and help people pull their lives together.

A shelter volunteer, Smilek attended a board meeting to brainstorm ways to help support the shelter, he said. He raised his hand and offered to do a family-oriented magic show, he said. The show includes a lot of audience participation and involves robes, cards, milk, rocks, an umbrella and cards, he said.

Smilek has pursued his interest in magic since a magician performed at a school assembly when he was in junior high school.

“I was hooked from there,” he said.

The Grange has donated the space and Printing Warehouse of Wilton printed fliers to advertise the show, he said, expressing gratitude for the help.

One thing the shelter could use is more volunteers, Jackson Hodsdon said. Training for volunteers is planned from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Old South Congregational Church, she said. People are welcome to attend no matter how much time they can volunteer, she said.

Volunteers are needed to “hang out” with shelter guests. They can do puzzles with them, teach them to knit or cook or just talk with them, she said. Some volunteers spend time between 4 and 8 p.m. and some stay overnight to help with any needs that arise, she said.

Because it’s a night shelter where guests are expected to leave for the day, the board would like to create a day program. School-age children can go to school but mothers with young children may have no place to go, she said.

Farmington Fire and Rescue recently donated a television to the shelter. Volunteers helped transport it.

“Community members have been extremely generous,” she said.

The shelter opened with donations from them. An opportunity for a matching donation of $5,000 was met before the end of November.

Those needing help can call the shelter at 779-7609 for more information.

Donations may be sent to Western Maine Homeless Outreach, 547 Wilton Road, Farmington, ME 04938.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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