Our 2019 Rotating Shelter was a great success thanks to the collective efforts by many faithful volunteers from St. Clare’s, Temple Beth Emeth and Blue Ocean Faith. On Monday, Nov. 25, twenty three guests who were experiencing homelessness came to our Genesis Building and were offered a warm meal and a place to sleep overnight throughout the week of Thanksgiving.
Our volunteers filled an impressive number of positions – 168 drivers, meal providers, socializers and overnight hosts!
After more than a decade of leading the rotating shelter, Judie Erb from St. Clare’s and Miriam Shaw from TBE handed over responsibilities to new organizers this year: Noreen DeYoung of TBE, Peter Millar, Linda Klimach and Knut Hill of St. Clare’s. Judie’s daughter, Jennifer Erb-Downward, also ran the signup for us this year.
THANK YOU to Judie and Miriam for your years of service and dedication!
When our building’s power went out for most of the day on Wednesday, arrangements were quickly made for the guests to stay the night at Delonis Shelter. Thank you to Jim Downward and Pernell (Genesis) for helping us get over this hurdle. After power was restored, our shelter opened its doors again on Thursday. Thank you also to those who made accommodations so that the lower level of our building could be used for Rotating Shelter week.
The men rested especially well this year. On the final evening, there were lots of smiles and grateful hearts when the Arbor Consort, Rod Little’s a cappella group, sang carols while the guests and hosts ate together.
THANK YOU to our volunteers who give of themselves to drive, feed, welcome and host our Rotating Shelter guests.