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The Roseburg News-Review---December 12, 2007
The Cow Creek Tribe of the Umpqua Band of Indians is helping fund a special Day of Sharing Christmas dinner for more than 200 low-income people and 70 volunteers on December 22.
By Chris Gray
With the giving, holiday spirit filling the air, local homeless advocates hope A Day of Sharing will bring out the generosity of Douglas County.
Scheduled for three days before Christmas, the event at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 22 will provide a hot meal and access to services and supplies to help local homeless persons get through the winter.
"This time of year people do open their hearts up to giving," said Harry Mullins, a resource director at the alternative Phoenix School as well as a leader of the Douglas County Housing & Homeless Coalition.
The coalition is still gathering up supplies, such as sleeping bags and plastic tarps for sleeping outside, and especially clean, dry socks.
"It’s really tough if someone has wet feet," said Nancy Southerland of the Umpqua Community Action Network.
Coats, blankets and winter accessories like gloves, hats and scarves are also wanted.
Organizers expect 70 volunteers and more than 200 homeless and lowincome people in the community to come to the Day of Sharing.
A dental van will be present to check teeth.
Mullins said he hopes people show up who normally don’t seek out services because of pride.
"We’re hoping that people who are coming in for the meal or the clothing will get access to services," said Southerland.
The meal is being provided by St. Joe’s Community Kitchen.
At least 12 nonprofits and agencies such as the Department of Human Services, the Umpqua Community Health Clinic and the Salvation Army will help get services to those who attend.
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians gave $1,000 for the event.
The idea for the Day of Sharing was modeled after similar events in Lane and Jackson counties.
The event in Lane County, "Project Homeless Connect," was first held in February and about 600 people were expected. Instead, more than 1,000 showed up.
"We had volunteers and staff members from the agencies and the homeless eating together," said Pearl Wolfe of the Lane County Human Services Commission.
That event also offered transit passes, hair cuts and bike and wheelchair repair.
If the Douglas County event is successful, Mullins said the coalition hopes to expand the event next year.