CAMPAIGN FOR CARE

CAMPAIGN FOR CARE
CAMPAIGN FOR CARE 9-11-07 Distribution Of Hand-tied Blanket & Foam Mattress Pad Sets For Homeless Children & Adults On Skid Row in Los Angeles
My husband and I exited downtown Los Angeles late one night after a Babyland concert with our two young sons in March, 2004. We were stunned by the vast numbers of people sleeping on the concrete sidewalks throughout the Skid Row area. Many had nothing more than the clothes they were wearing and a cardboard box for shelter. It had an especially profound effect on our oldest son, Andrew, who was 8 years old at the time, and a Cub Scout in Pack #735. He asked us, “Why are people sleeping on the street?” We continued to discuss the matter as a family over the next few weeks, as he repeatedly brought up the subject. One particularly cold and rainy night, in the midst of our conversation, the CAMPAIGN FOR CARE project was conceived. My husband and I felt that we had the choice of either telling our little boy that nothing could be done to help, or showing him that you can make a difference, no matter how small, in someone’s life.
Since that time, CAMPAIGN FOR CARE has grown to include a diverse team of volunteers who wish to help homeless men, women, and children who are sleeping on the streets by giving them a hand-tied fleece blanket & foam mattress pad set. Hand-tying the fringes on the blankets was the chosen design because this process can only be done by hand. This communicates to the receiver of the blanket that someone took the time to make each blanket special on their behalf. To date, 2,556 have been given out in Los Angeles, 10 in San Francisco, 6 in Berkeley, 30 in Mexico, 18 in Pakistan, and 5 in Denver, Colorado. This random act of kindness in no way solves the complex issues surrounding homelessness, rather it is a practical way for people to show care and compassion to another human being by making them a little warmer and more comfortable at night until more permanent solutions are implemented. Donations to purchase the fleece material have come from many wonderful individuals and groups such as the Woman's Club of Cypress (the WCC has also helped tremendously by preparing the blankets for tying, and assisting with the blanket-tying events for students and children’s groups on numerous occasions), Delta Kappa Gamma Society International women educators association local chapter Beta Omicron, Student Councils, PTA, Angels’ Haven Outreach, Cypress Church, Kiwanis Club of Bellflower, and others. Bob Bennett performed a free concert for the homeless at the Fred Jordan Mission to the delight of a full house of children and adults. Babyland, EMA3, and The Power Of 3 performed a fantastic benefit concert at The Smell in L.A. to raise awareness for the CFC homeless project, donations, and volunteers. Many fans of the bands assisted with the distribution after the free show that evening. The hand-tied blankets have been made by students at 10 Orange County and Los Angeles County schools during their lunch recess (ABC Development Preschool, Brethren Christian School, Ernie Pyle Elementary School, Intensive Learning Center Elementary School, Margaret Landell Elementary School, Lindstrom Elementary School, Los Altos Brethren School, Mayfair High School, Suva Intermediate School, and Woodruff Elementary School), Scouts (Boy, Girl, Cub, and Brownies), Los Cerritos YMCA, and children’s groups from a diverse variety of religious denominations.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent a hand-signed certificate of recognition to the students of Landell Elementary School for having made well over 500 blankets for the homeless of Los Angeles which was presented to the students by Principal Tracy Mouren-Laurens at their character assembly on September 7th, 2007. Woodruff Elementary School held a sock-hop dance in December; the students brought new socks for donation to homeless children and adults, 482 in all, which were distributed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Los Coyotes Elementary School donated 75 children’s jackets left over from the previous year’s lost and found to homeless children. Filemon Uballe provided the fleece material to us at a greatly discounted price. Home Depot of Cypress donated 600 bags which were used to assemble the sets of hand-tied blankets with the foam pads. Our youngest son Jordan’s Cub Scout Pack #735 Cub Master, Joe Lum, donated hundreds of yards of fabric from garment-making factories in L.A., and helped to organize a Cub, Boy, and Girl Scout blanket-tying event where 432 blankets were made on 9-9-07, hosted by Cypress Church who provided the boys with a lunch feast prepared by the Holy Grill, which included 200 Scouts district-wide from 9 Troops (#295, #642, #657, #660, #670. #673, #1447, #2021, #2214) and 5 Packs (#295, #660, #667, #676, #735) and their families. He also assisted with the 9-11-07 distribution, along with students from Landell Elementary School, McAuliffe Middle School, Los Alamitos High School, Kennedy High School, Woman’s Club Of Cypress members, Cypress Church members, and other friends, some of which had volunteered on previous events.
We have had hand-tied blanket and foam mattress pad distributions on Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Christmas, and September 11th. It is usually about the time when the nights begin to get rather cold, especially when one is sleeping on concrete. As one man put it, “we couldn’t be there for those people on that day, but we can be there for these people on this day”. It is a great way to honor those who lost their lives by using the day to show goodwill towards others. Our 4th annual September 11th distribution took place on Skid Row in Los Angeles. The Roth family, of Movin’ On, donated and drove the truck which delivered the gifts. This was the third distribution that their family has participated in. A large team of volunteers from diverse backgrounds partnered with an outstanding team from the Midnight Mission and the Fred Jordan Mission to deliver 744 hand-tied blankets, 500 foam mattress pads, 250 blank stamped envelopes with blank stationary inside, 50 rain ponchos, 45 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and a variety of toiletries such as soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, and lotions. We followed the truck slowly through a pre-determined 6 block route, handing out to people along the way on both sides of the streets. The outpour of love, caring, and respect was very touching. We had an awesome team of volunteers ranging from age 5 to 83. The recipients and the volunteers were equally delighted with the event. It was a great success, with treasured moments for everyone in attendance. We look forward to reporting back to all of the children who made the blankets that their gift was gratefully received, and very much appreciated.
CAMPAIGN FOR CARE will certainly have future blanket-making opportunities and distribution events, based on the enthusiasm of the children to help those less fortunate, and the need of the homeless children and adults that we witnessed first-hand on the streets. I can personally attest that the homeless on Skid Row are not a community that one should fear, but rather fear for. Some were very elderly, some were children, some were disabled, and some have broken spirits and have lost all hope. However, all were gracious, kind, and appreciated having been in people’s thoughts and prayers. A dear friend and volunteer, Dorothy Bryan, expressed that someone she had given a blanket set to told her, “I feel doubly blessed”, upon hearing that children had hand-tied the blankets. A sentiment, she said, which was mentioned often that evening.
Los Angeles has been named, “the homeless capitol of America”. It was reported that 82,291 people were homeless in L.A. County, 16%, or 13,167, are children under the age of 18, according to the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority. The numbers are rising, families with children are the fastest growing population of the homeless. The most recent LAHSA count has determined that there are now approximately 88,000 homeless in L.A. County. According to Shelter Partnership, Inc., there are just over 15,000 shelter beds to accommodate the homeless in L.A., a deficit of over 73,000 beds available to children and adults who are homeless. Mayor Villaraigosa has committed to additional affordable housing options by adding $50 million to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust. He has worked in partnership with Councilmember Jan Perry, Executive Director of the U.S. Council on Homelessness Phil Mangano, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, the Skid Row Housing Trust, and others to increase the number of shelter beds, and implement additional permanent housing solutions. The recently opened Rainbow Apartments is one example, offering 89 units at more affordable rates. Three additional buildings are in the works, the Abbey, Charles Cobb, and Carver Apartments. 14 lower income residence building projects are planned so far.
The missions in the area such as the Midnight Mission, the Fred Jordan Mission, Union Rescue Mission, L.A. Mission, and others perform an amazing service to the community by providing shelter, food, and services to those less fortunate. They depend on the kindness of others to operate and affect those they are trying to assist. Donations, especially food, but also clothing, toys, household items (for those transitioning), shoes, and toiletries are essential. Ask your church or organization to set up permanent boxes where people can place unwanted items for donation. Monetary contributions to the missions are also critical, but if you are short in the money department, one of the most valuable assets you can donate is your time. Volunteering at any one of the area missions is a wonderful way to positively affect someone’s life, and there are many opportunities to do so. Search the internet for Los Angeles (or your area) missions for listings and ways to get involved.
CAMPAIGN FOR CARE exists with a dual purpose, to help the homeless children and adults who are sleeping on the streets to be warmer, more comfortable, and to feel cared about, but also to raise awareness and provide an opportunity that empowers the youth by engaging them in a hands-on, positive contribution to their world community. The project was started by a child, a Cub Scout, and has been embraced and supported by many hundreds of children because their hearts tend to not be jaded with judgment toward others. They see someone who is suffering, and they want to do something about it. The children’s willingness to help those less fortunate has been a monumental inspiration to us, and to many others in the community. A huge thank you to all those precious children who have contributed for their compassion, concern, kindness, and participation. They have truly led the way by example to care for others, and help out when or where you can. Andrew has gone on to Boy Scout Troop #660. He has participated in all of the various school, church, and other children’s groups blanket-tying events and distributions. He brings donations of food and other supplies to the missions that serve the homeless in Los Angeles monthly, which he collects from donation boxes. Many of his fellow #660 Scouts have participated in blanket-tying events, and have pledged to help with future events.
If you are interested in participating in the CAMPAIGN FOR CARE hand-tied blankets for the homeless project, or if you would like more information and a complete list of groups and individuals that have participated, please visit us at www.campaignforcare.org. While one person can make a difference, when we combine our efforts, the impact can be tremendous. Thanks so much for allowing me to share this story with you.
With gratitude, Stacy Tuttle
Various condensed versions of this 9-11-07 project summary were printed in the NEWS ENTERPRISE, “Scouts Work To Distribute Blankets To Los Angeles Homeless To Remember 9/11”, 10-10-07 edition, the EVENT NEWS, “Campaign Helps Provide For Homeless Population”, 10-05-07 edition, the INDEPENDENT, “Campaign Helps Provide For Homeless Population”, 10-05-07 edition, and the NEWS ENTERPRISE “Campaign For Care Project Explained And Its Workers Thanked”, 10-03-07 edition newspapers, and the Ports ‘O Call fanzine, FOOD + WATER, “A Letter From Campaign For Care”, September 2007 issue.