FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2009
Contacts:
Donald Tyne
Director, Linn County Veteran Affairs
(319) 892-5160
veteran@linncounty.org
Joi Bergman
Communications Director
(319) 892-5118
joi.bergman@linncounty.org
4th Annual Sleep Out for the Homeless Set for Nov. 14
Volunteers to raise awareness for homelessness with overnight stay in Greene Square Park
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA October 30, 2009) Linn County Veteran Affairs and the Community Circle of Care will hold the fourth annual Sleep Out for the Homeless on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 15-21). The event will run from 5:00 p.m. November 14 through 7:00 a.m. November 15. The Sleep Out will take place regardless of weather conditions.
The public is invited to participate by collecting pledges and sleeping outside in cardboard boxes to raise awareness of homelessness as an important and real issue in Linn County and to raise money for area shelters. The Community Circle of Care will also kickoff its annual blanket drive.
A community discussion on homelessness will take place across the street at First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth St. SE, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In fiscal year 2009, Linn County Veteran Affairs referred 179 veterans to local homeless shelters, said Don Tyne, director of Linn County Veteran Affairs and Co-Chair of the Sleep Out. The homeless shelters provide an invaluable service for our homeless veterans and others. Statistics do not tell the story you see in their eyes as we talk about living on the streets.
Money raised for the Sleep Out will be distributed to the following Linn County emergency shelters:
Catholic Worker House
Cedar House Shelter
Foundation 2 Youth Shelter
Mission of Hope
The Salvation Army Emergency Lodging
Waypoint Madge Philips Center
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Hot soup, snacks and hot beverages will be donated by area businesses and the Salvation Army. Sleep Out participants should dress warmly and bring sleeping bags or blankets. Cardboard will be provided for creating makeshift shelter. Indoor restrooms, security and entertainment will also be provided.
Donations may be dropped off during the event or mailed with checks made payable to: Community Circle of Care, Inc.
ATTN: Sleep Out for the Homeless
P.O. Box 1305
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
For more information on how to participate, please contact the Linn County Veteran Affairs Office at (319) 892-5160 or veteran@linncounty.org or visit the Sleep Out website at www.sleepoutforhomeless.org.
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About Community Circle of Care, Inc. - Community Circle of Care, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity organized in December 2001. An all-volunteer charity, it is dedicated to increasing community support for local homeless programs that house and feed homeless men, women and children. To learn more, visit www.circleofcare.net.
