PLEASE Stop, I'm freezing

My apology to the folks who got here to the post before I had actually written it.  I schedule things ahead 99.9% of the time, and had this in que, but never got back to complete it before it was published.
This video sadden me so much when I first saw it, that I backed away from writing about it, thus it was there in que ...waiting on me.  This video follows yesterdays post about a man dying.......dying literally from being homeless, from being out in the cold exposed to the elements for too long without whatever he needed to survive.  I don't know if Michael (see yesterday's post) would have lived if he had another meal, or warmer/dry socks or a different place to sleep.........but it gives me pause thinking about it.

And now this?  A child, in New York in the elements for hours (2 I believe it was), before someone came to his rescue.  And it wasn't a wealth person who came to his rescue, it wasn't someone with a good job, it wasn't someone with a child that age at home, it wasn't  with a roof over their head.......no, it was a caring homeless man with little to share, but willing to share it.  He had compassion, he shared a hug, he asked questions, he gave up his coat.  He understood this person needed what he had, he understood he could help.  He understood, that while he couldn't solve the problem and make it go away.........he understood he could do what he could do and that what he could do mattered.

This was an experiment, so this child wasn't going to freeze because it was an experiment.......but all those who passed him by, who stopped to stare didn't know that.  I guess none of us knows how we would react in the same type of situation, I only hope my humanity would overcome and that I would do the right thing.  We are sometimes afraid of those folks who are homeless, because we don't them.  We don't know if it's safe to approach them.  Thankfully this caring homeless man didn't let his fear (if he had any) get in the way of caring for another human being in need.

We can't solve the problem, but we can do, what we can do  AND IT MATTERS.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Rest in Peace Michael B. Williams, Jr.

This photo is courtesy of a high school friend of mine, thank you Deborah.  The church is 1st English Lutheran Church

The event, a sad one, the memorial service for Michael B. Williams, Jr.  Mr. Williams was found frozen behind an Eastside Columbus House, near a barrel that homeless use to try and keep warm.  A 911 call alerted police when someone found his body.  February 15th, was a Sunday, one of the coldest on record in the area.  in 1920 it was 12 on this date, but this February in 2015 it was colder, and a man died of exposure.  A homeless man, named Michael Williams.  He was 50, a man of faith who attended this church.  Last year he had found lodging for awhile through The YWCA Family Shelter.

All lives matter, no one should die of exposure; but homeless do.  There is not enough lodging to take care of everyone in need, and single men are the first to be turned away when shelters are full.  Some homeless don't want to go to shelters, some feel safer in the elements.  There are many different reasons why people become homeless, regardless of those reason; we need to remember they are people and their lives matter.  There were or are someone's son, daughter, uncle, father, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or friend.  They are God's Children, just as we are.

Homelessness does have a face, and those faces are people with names.  Please keep Michael and those who's names you don't know in your thoughts and prayers, and do what you can to help.  If not here through Bridge and Beyond, perhaps in your own communities through local shelters and churches.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheted Donations and Personal Care Items Important Donation for Homeless

Thank you Barbara F for this thoughtful donation of warm goodies for our homeless here in Ohio.  Barbara has been busy, she tells me in her note that the colder it gets, the more she crochets.  Perfect!

Barbara has been busy crocheting scarves and hats.  She's also included much needed personal care items.  Folks, a couple of weeks ago I posted that one of the most overlook items for shelters in feminine hygiene products, so am pleased to say Barbara has included some in this donation.  I can't imagine what that's like, to be cold, to want a bath and be in need of personal hygiene products.

Keep up the good work Barbara!

2015 Donations:
Hats: 62+7=69
Scarves:20+2=22
Mittens: 21
Slippers: 20
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:23
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.