By Jeanni Ritchie

Ordinary Angels, a faith-based Lionsgate film, tells the true story of  “snow baby” Michelle Schmidt and the community effort to save her life after Louisville is hit by a major snowstorm during the 1994 North American cold wave.

Struggling hairdresser Sharon Stevens, played by the award-winning Hillary Swank, is the titled angel in this story, her selfless heart and no-nonsense attitude displayed as she takes on the plight of Michelle’s widowed father to save his critically ill daughter’s life.

This is a true story, not a rom-com, so expectations of a love connection between the two should be left at home. This is a selfless love, that innate desire to find meaning and make a difference when an innocent child’s life is in danger.

 This is the story of what one woman’s determination can do to move mountains. The message is that we can all make a difference in the world, that we all have something to share if we are just brave enough to do so.

Swank plays one of life’s Ordinary Angels beautifully on screen. We should all play one in real life.

Ordinary Angels is playing nationwide at a theatre near you.

Jeanni Ritchie is a journalist on a journey, drawing inspiration from pop culture as well as her faith.