Gimme Shelter – A Night To End Homelessness

On February 8 at the 3^rd Annual Gimme Shelter – A Night to End Homelessness,  80 community members braved the frigid cold  to spend the night outside the Peoria Civic Center in cardboard boxes to raise awareness and funds to end homelessness in our community.  The event, Gimme Shelter, was hosted by Phoenix Community Development Services (formerly SSOC) to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those in our community without homes and to give our citizens an opportunity to help in the fight to end homelessness in Central Illinois.  Participants were asked to raise $1,000 each for the “privilege†of participating.  The event raised over $75,500 to support Phoenix CDS’ continuing efforts to provide permanent supportive housing and end homelessness in our community.   The event also included a series of educational presentations focused on homelessness and its impact on our community.

Participants shared that their favorite things about the event were meeting new friends, learning abut homelessness, and having the opportunity to make a difference.  Many thanks to all the donors, participants, volunteer and sponsors who made it all possible!  Plans are being made for next year’s event and we look forward to making Gimme Shelter 2020 even bigger and better.

Photos Courtesy of Angie Sneeringer of True Calling Photography.