Homeless Memorial Day 12/21/2016
Donation protected
This is an event held in other places in the U.S. always during the winter solstice on Dec. 21st.
Traditionally, the event is named "The Longest Night" because Dec. 21st is the shortest day for most Americans who have a place to come home to at days end, but it is the Longest Night for those who do not have a home.
It is a valuable opportunity for communities to show compassion to those experiencing homelessness especially so close to the holidays when many homeless people struggle with the frustrations of being disconnected from friends and families due to their homeless conditions. It is also an opportunity of homeless people to honor the memories of homeless friends and their extended homeless families who struggled only to lose their lives in homelessness.
It is an event worhty of your contributions mostly of time and effort. Many volunteers in the past have reported that participating in these events inspired joyful emotions and satified their spirits.
We will need donations of every kind that are available with your help. I am going to open a GoFundMe account within the next day to buy a heck of a lot of pizza, soft drinks and anything else that we need to purchase.
We have in the past had groups from local businesses, churches, schools, clubs, etc. that donated blankets, sleeping bags, plastic tarps, tents, jackets, gloves, scarfs, caps, socks, flashlights, batteries etc.
Many folks living on the River Trail have dogs so gifts of dog foods, toys and treats are always popular.
Hygeine products are real winners and greatly appreciated. Soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, beauty items, feminine products, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste and brushes, band-aids and first aid kits, baby wipes, toilet paper, kleenex, etc.
Groups brought baked Christmas cookies and candies and others brought warm drnks like coffee, hot chocolate,cider, etc.
Many musicians have offered to provide entertainment during the event and it really is a treat to these homeless people when so many show up there is a good chance that this will be the happiest thing that happens throughout the entire year.
So many people there rely on bicycles as their only mode of transportation so any donations of bikes is nice. They don't need to be new but should be operational. Also bike accessories like headlamps, reflectors, tail lights, helmets usually do well.
Churches have always been strong supporters by providing opening prayer, memorial services, candles for a solemn vigil and a bell that we ring as we call out the names of homeless friends and loved ones who have departed this world but whose memories remain in our thoughts, prayers and in our hearts.
It may be that not all of these items show-up on the night of the event or that you are not in a position to provide any donation in terms of substance, please just be with us at a time that so few think about anyone else other than their immediate family, friends and loved-ones let alone people of lesser privelege.
Your presence can show them that there are people in our world who are compassionate and therefore restores hope in them that some people do care. By being there for the homeless you are showing the remaining members of our society that there are people who care about the lives of those experiencing the very worst existence in a place that is otherwise a beacon of wealth and prosperity for so many. Demonstrate that you do not tolerate homelessness in your community either, but for better and more spiritual reasons.
Maybe I've forgotten something which does happen some times. Please contact me and give me an idea of how you or your group would like to help out with as I plan this event on the fly.
I will post any commitments of items/donations as they are reported to me to reduce excessive duplication of goods donated. Additional items of necessity will be posted as well.
Please call me any time. If I don't respond within an hour or two call me again or email me.
Thank you so very much.
(714) [phone redacted]
[email redacted]
Traditionally, the event is named "The Longest Night" because Dec. 21st is the shortest day for most Americans who have a place to come home to at days end, but it is the Longest Night for those who do not have a home.
It is a valuable opportunity for communities to show compassion to those experiencing homelessness especially so close to the holidays when many homeless people struggle with the frustrations of being disconnected from friends and families due to their homeless conditions. It is also an opportunity of homeless people to honor the memories of homeless friends and their extended homeless families who struggled only to lose their lives in homelessness.
It is an event worhty of your contributions mostly of time and effort. Many volunteers in the past have reported that participating in these events inspired joyful emotions and satified their spirits.
We will need donations of every kind that are available with your help. I am going to open a GoFundMe account within the next day to buy a heck of a lot of pizza, soft drinks and anything else that we need to purchase.
We have in the past had groups from local businesses, churches, schools, clubs, etc. that donated blankets, sleeping bags, plastic tarps, tents, jackets, gloves, scarfs, caps, socks, flashlights, batteries etc.
Many folks living on the River Trail have dogs so gifts of dog foods, toys and treats are always popular.
Hygeine products are real winners and greatly appreciated. Soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, beauty items, feminine products, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste and brushes, band-aids and first aid kits, baby wipes, toilet paper, kleenex, etc.
Groups brought baked Christmas cookies and candies and others brought warm drnks like coffee, hot chocolate,cider, etc.
Many musicians have offered to provide entertainment during the event and it really is a treat to these homeless people when so many show up there is a good chance that this will be the happiest thing that happens throughout the entire year.
So many people there rely on bicycles as their only mode of transportation so any donations of bikes is nice. They don't need to be new but should be operational. Also bike accessories like headlamps, reflectors, tail lights, helmets usually do well.
Churches have always been strong supporters by providing opening prayer, memorial services, candles for a solemn vigil and a bell that we ring as we call out the names of homeless friends and loved ones who have departed this world but whose memories remain in our thoughts, prayers and in our hearts.
It may be that not all of these items show-up on the night of the event or that you are not in a position to provide any donation in terms of substance, please just be with us at a time that so few think about anyone else other than their immediate family, friends and loved-ones let alone people of lesser privelege.
Your presence can show them that there are people in our world who are compassionate and therefore restores hope in them that some people do care. By being there for the homeless you are showing the remaining members of our society that there are people who care about the lives of those experiencing the very worst existence in a place that is otherwise a beacon of wealth and prosperity for so many. Demonstrate that you do not tolerate homelessness in your community either, but for better and more spiritual reasons.
Maybe I've forgotten something which does happen some times. Please contact me and give me an idea of how you or your group would like to help out with as I plan this event on the fly.
I will post any commitments of items/donations as they are reported to me to reduce excessive duplication of goods donated. Additional items of necessity will be posted as well.
Please call me any time. If I don't respond within an hour or two call me again or email me.
Thank you so very much.
(714) [phone redacted]
[email redacted]
Organizer
Tim Houchen
Organizer
Anaheim, CA