Tag: socks

April– the cherry blossoms bloom, squirrels come out of hibernation, the days get longer, winter clothes are put away…

Hypothermia season may have officially ended on March 31, but that doesn not mean that the danger of hypothermia is gone until November. If anything, spring is prime hypothermia weather.

Everyone, including the guests coming into our center, is shedding their winter gear. Fine when one has a warm place to go at night, but not safe when one is homeless. Now that the hypothermia shelters have closed, the number of people back on the street at night, bracing the rain and wind, has increased.

An email I received today quoted the National Alliance to End Homelessness and their report Winter Homeless Services: Bring Your Neighbors in from the Cold:

According to Dr. James J. O’Connell from the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), the most dangerous cases of hypothermia do not occur when the ambient [surrounding] temperature is far below freezing. Instead, Dr. O’Connell says, the worst cases they see arise when the days are warm (between 40 F and 50 F) and the nighttime temperature drops to the mid-30s.

Help us keep our guests dry and clean!

We are always in need of socks and underwear. Dry, clean base layers are crucial to staying healthy and warm. Bring them to our center: 1041 Wisconsin Ave, between 10am-5pm during the week or 10am-2pm on the weekend.

Today, we received a small box of socks in the mail, courtesy of a former Grace Church parishioner who now lives in Colorado. Our supporters are so amazing and thoughtful, even when they are far away. Thank you!!!

We consider ourselves very lucky here at Georgetown Ministry Center. We have such amazing supporters, from individuals to local businesses to schools. Today, we have to give a great big thank you to Calvary Road Christian School in Alexandria. Every Halloween they run a sock drive, and this year we were the benefiting organization!

Calvary Road Christian School collected so many socks that, at the moment, we are able to give several pairs to each person, as well as some to those we see during street outreach. Usually when we have socks, we can only give one pair to each guest who comes in with none left over for street outreach.

The excitement and happiness that emanated through the center was palpable. I never thought that something as simple as socks could make someone so happy.

A thousand thanks to Calvary Road Christian School from everyone here at Georgetown Ministry Center!

One of my favorite feelings when it’s cold out is to put on a pair of warm socks and curl up with a book and mug of hot chocolate. Working at GMC has made me greatly appreciate the feeling of warm, dry feet. Our guests come in asking for a pair of socks, especially during rainy spells like right now, and we have none to give them. Please help us keep their feet warm and dry by donating socks. We’ll take them new or used, as long as they’re clean. We’re could also use men’s underwear and sweatpants.

Bring donations to Georgetown Ministry Center. We’re open seven days a week: Monday-Friday from 10-5 and Saturday/Sunday from 10-2.

Thanks for all of your continued support! I’m ending this post with a copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73. — Stephanie

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire
Consumed with that which it was nourish’d by.
This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.