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PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Annual “Sleepout” To Raise Awareness For Our Homeless Collects Over $4,800 in donations
Croton-on-Hudson, New York (December 7, 2013) – Holy Name of Mary’s Youth Group, “God Squad,” collected over 20 “hefty” bags full of men’s and women’s clothing, several “footlocker” sized bins of non-perishable food and over $4,800 in cash and check donations during their 9th Annual Sleepout.
More than 25 teenagers from God Squad braved cold nighttime temperatures in the 20’s in order to raise awareness and money for Caring For The Homeless of Peekskill (CHOP). The mission of Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Inc. (CHOP) is to alleviate hunger and homelessness in our community by providing temporary housing for homeless adults, and by referring clients to appropriate agencies in order to help them attain independent living. CHOP currently operates three programs; Jan Peek House Shelter for the Homeless, Sunny Donut Free Breakfast Program and Fred’s Pantry at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
CHOP Executive Director, Donna Besteiro, and fellow board members showed their appreciation for what Croton’s teens are doing for their cause by serving them a soup and bread dinner during the night that was kindly donated by “Sleepout” community partners Baked by Susan and The Blue Pig.
CHOP board members continued to visit the teens throughout the night and into the early morning hours culminating in an impromptu pick-up, midnight basketball game with other teen visitors from the nearby Pheonix House treatment center. The teens from Pheonix House had stopped by with a member of the CHOP board to see what these “crazy“ kids were doing. They presented the members of God Squad with a commemorative plaque and hot chocolate and doughnuts to help get them through the night.
The Knights of Columbus from Holy Name of Mary greeted the God Squad youths with a sunrise, egg sandwich breakfast, which epitomized the generosity of a community that had turned out to support a new generation of kids that are trying to “be” the difference.
God Squad Youth Minister Carl Barnes stated that “the key to this event was picking up the phone and talking to our community partner CHOP, and asking them what we could do to “be” a real difference to their cause, and they responded.” The CHOP Board of Directors, led by their Board President Steve Feldman, owner of All Weather Home & Building Improvement in Peekskill, and Steve Ryan were a tremendous help to God Squad in planning the event throughout the month of November.
God Squad members Michaela O’Connell and Caroline Barnes were overwhelmed by people’s “show of unity that provided each of us with a warm feeling inside on such a cold winter’s night,” which summed up the overall feeling of the rest of the God Squad teens on this special night.
Contact:
Carl Barnes
Holy Name of Mary, Youth Minister
(914) 263-3111
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SEE PHOTOS FROM THE 2013 SLEEP OUT HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/12/part-2-more-photos-from-2013-god-squad.html ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE 2013 SLEEP OUT HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/12/part-2-more-photos-from-2013-god-squad.html ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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