Cedar Rapids—Six local homeless shelters received a welcomed gift this week in the form of a check for $1,333.34 each. The donations are from the first annual Linn County Sleep Out held on November 18, 2006, through a joint partnership between Linn County Veterans Affairs and the Community Circle of Care. The Sleep Out was part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and its goal was to raise donations and awareness of homeless and hunger issues in our community.
Literally hundreds of individuals made cash contributions as pledges of support for the three dozen people who slept in cardboard boxes and other make shift protection for this awareness raising event. The donations totaled $8,000.04. The recipient shelters are Cedar House Shelter, Foundation 2 Youth Shelter, St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker House, Waypoint’s Domestic Violence Shelter, Waypoint’s Madge Phillips Shelter and the Willis Dady Shelter.
The Sleep Out generated significant participation from many people and organizations. Coe College donated space and campus support for the Sleep Out. The Linn County Board of Supervisors underwrote the risk management coverage for the event. The Red Cross made their Emergency Response Vehicle available. Several local food vendors donated baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate. St. Matthews Catholic Church donated a large portion of their collection to this cause.
The Circle of Care Blanket Drive was kicked off that night and dozens of blankets were collected. The Blanket Drive continues until January 6, and blankets are still needed. Drop-off locations include: Cedar Rapids City Hall, Marion City Hall, all nine Wells Fargo locations, Westdale Mall, Citywide and Carriage Cleaners (all locations), Duchess Cleaners on Center Point Rd., Wynnsong 12 Theater, Carmike 7 Theater, Collins Road Theater, Galaxy Theater, Mercy Health Plaza on Council St., Comfort Care Home Health Care, Stratus Communications in Hiawatha, Kirkwood Community College in Iowa Hall, Foundation2 Crisis Center, the Salvation Army, the Marion Times, Marion Christian Church, and the Community of Christ Church.
During fiscal year 2006, the number of homeless persons served by Linn County emergency shelters and transitional housing programs was at its highest point in five years. In FY06, these programs helped 4,019 persons; 49% were children.