Like many areas of the country, the snow has arrived and the cold weather has set in. While running errands on a busy street, my son noticed a man huddled in a ratty blanket, sleeping in a building’s alcove. He was taken aback for a moment, as the man and all his belongings laid on a sheet of cardboard, his face half covered by some newspaper he had stuffed into his shirt.

Innocently, he asked me why he was sleeping there. I explained that some people do not have a home so they have to sleep outside. “But he goes to his house at dark time, right mommy?” he asked, still not comprehending the impact of lying on the sidewalk. “No”, I explained, “he doesn’t have a house, so he has to sleep outside”. “But it’s too cold, can we have him come over?” he questioned.

I spend most of the ride home trying to explain as best I could to a four year old, why that man was there. The more I tried to put it in simple terms, the harder it was. The more I tried to make it light and uncomplicated, the more difficult it became. Why, how come, but why again and you fix it mommy was all he could say and I arrived home to my warm and comfy house feeling as many of us do, unable to fix a problem so heart-breaking during the holiday season.

Some dear friends of mine sent me a pleading e-mail put out by their church, regarding a homeless woman who had died in our city a few nights ago from exposure. Their minister was urging the congregation to help if they could with volunteering, supplies or any sort of monetary contribution. Doing a bit of research I found that 56 people in the last two years have died from exposure in my city alone. I am sure if we added up all the cities we live in, the numbers would be staggering.

For many of us, the next few days will be filled with warm food, lavish baking, crackling fires next to decorated trees surrounded with gifts. As we enjoy our festive holidays, others will be doing their best just to survive and keep warm. If you have an opportunity to help, please do so by dropping off items you are no longer be using at your nearest homeless shelter, outreach center, or church.

Some of the items they are looking for are:
•    Blankets
•    Bus tickets
•    Winter coats
•    Long-sleeved shirts
•    Thermal underwear
•    Wool socks
•    Sleeping bags
•    Tarps (preferably small)
•    Hygiene items (combs, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, nail clippers, etc)
•    Boots

That man lying there is someone’s son and every one of us can relate to what this means. He is someone’s child and needs a bit of help.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB