Annual “Sleepout” in Croton to Raise Awareness for Homeless
Holy Name of Mary’s Youth Group, “God Squad,” will tempt December’s chilly temperatures during its annual Homeless Awareness “Sleepout” on Saturday, December 7. Members of the Youth Group for high school students will brave the cold by sleeping out in boxes on the front steps of the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church Parish Center at 110 Grand Street in Croton-on-Hudson from 4 p.m. on Saturday, through the night and into the next day at 11 a.m. on Sunday, as they collect food and clothing donations and raise money to benefit Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Inc. (CHOP).
The mission of Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Inc. (CHOP) is to alleviate hunger and homelessness in the community by providing temporary housing for homeless adults, and by referring clients to appropriate agencies in order to help them attain independent living. CHOP currently operates three programs; Jan Peek House Shelter for the Homeless, Sunny Donut Free Breakfast Program and Fred’s Pantry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
“God Squad” is expanding its relationship with its community partner CHOP by collecting non-perishable food donations for their Fred’s Food Pantry and men’s and women’s clothing and toiletries for their Jan Peek House Shelter and the Holy Name of Mary’s “Midnight Run” ministry. In addition, all cash donations collected will also benefit CHOP. “I just can’t believe that these kids are willing to do this for us,” said CHOP’s Board Chairman, Steve Feldman, “We want to do anything that we can do to support their effort,” he continued.
Croton Harmon High School (CHHS) ninth grader, Maddy Camillieri said of her first time participating in the “sleepout,” “It’s something that I have wanted to do since I was really little.”
Junior, Kyle Rossini, commented that “it really made me realize how fortunate I was,” when asked about his experience last year and why he is returning for a second year. Junior, Eric Gaccione, added, “I just wanted to experience it all – feel the struggle.”
Local community partners The Blue Pig, Baked by Susan and the Knights of Columbus will donate a basic soup and bread dinner and breakfast for the members of God Squad.” For the ninth straight year, the youth group will continue in its efforts to raise thousands of dollars for the homeless, five years benefiting CHOP. To date the God Squad has raised over $8,000 for CHOP.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
