fall 2003

Dear Friends;

The leaves are falling to the ground, temperatures are dropping, and children have headed back to school, a sure sign that fall is in the air.  The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cold, winter with plenty of snow.  Many of you are getting ready for the winter by buying warm clothes, adding a blanket to the bed, and cleaning out the fireplace.  Children start making their Christmas list for Santa in the fall.

Fall is the time of year that everyone should prepare for winter and the homeless aren’t any different.  Homeless men, women and children begin to think about what it will be like to be homeless in the winter.  Is there a warm bed for me to sleep in?  Do I have a blanket to shield me from the cold?  Do I have a winter coat that fits me?   Where are my hat and gloves?  Does Santa visit children in a homeless shelter?

Sadly I can’t answer yes to all those questions.  I cannot guarantee that every homeless man, woman and child will have a warm bed to sleep in this winter.  I cannot say that every homeless person that needs a blanket will get one.  I am not sure we will have enough winter coats for every homeless person that needs one.  I can not be sure that no homeless person will suffer from exposure because they do not have hats and gloves.  And I can only hope that Santa will fill the wishes of homeless children.

There are more homeless people in your community now than ever before.  We need your help to prepare homeless men, women and children for winter.  I don’t want to write to you in the spring about homeless people who passed away this winter as a result of living on the streets.  One thing I can answer yes to is The Other Place has caring people that step up each time I ask the question.  Will you help us prepare for winter?

Respectfully,
Tina M. Patterson
Tina M. Patterson
Executive Director
 

back to exec. dir. corner