Harmony House housed 561 clients and served 47,028 meals to homeless individuals in 2013. They have seen these numbers since its founding 24 years ago, and 20 years ago started organizing a unique fundraiser that would become “Sleep Out for the Homeless.”
On Friday, Oct. 31 members from the community in Richland County slept outside Ontario’s Wal-Mart. The event lasted 24 hours; and participants brought their own cardboard boxes, dressed warm, and experienced firsthand the hardships of vagrancy.
During the fundraiser, sponsors of Harmony House provided food. Dunkin Donuts donated coffee and donuts; Granter’s Grinders, bagels; and Two Cousins and Pizza Hut, pizza. Wal-Mart and Athens Greek Restaurant also provided services and food throughout the 24-hour period.
This year Harmony House decided to “stuff the pumpkin,” a hollow, cardboard box that accepted donations of daily essentials like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste and canned food. Also, the Harmony House brought a barrel to hold a fire for warmth during the night’s cold air. Local weather predictions called for rain and a low of 38 degrees.
“It’s a difficult fundraiser because it’s 24 hours long, extremely tiring, but so rewarding. You leave with a sense of accomplishment and you realize you’re truly impacting other peoples’ lives,” said Director Vicki Kane.
Kane said this fundraiser helps youth realize the sharp reality of homelessness in Richland County. As indicated above, 561 clients were helped through Harmony House in 2013. According to the United States Census Bureau, the percentage of individuals below the poverty line in Richland County from 2008 to 2012 was nearly 15 percent. Ohio’s percentage was the same.
A Mansfield Boy Scout troop weathered the harsh night, along with Madison Middle School’s Key Club, and a class from Ohio State University at Mansfield. Kane also endured.
“I slept probably from 2 [a.m.] till 5, [a.m.] so I had roughly three hours of sleep. But it wasn’t a sound sleep because those trucks come in and out all night and there is some sort of truck that cleans the parking lot,” reflected Kane.
Many volunteers took shifts throughout the 24-hour period. Wayne and Pat Bell have been volunteers since Kane became Director, 20 years ago.
“We’re not sleeping out here tonight,” said Wayne Bell on Friday. “We’re too old for that now. We’ve done it many times in the past, but not tonight,” he added.
Diana and Ken Rupert stood in Wal-Mart’s front entrance with a bucket to accept donations. Diana Rupert said they attend First United Methodist Church in downtown Mansfield on the square. They do this every year and the church really supports the Harmony House she said.
Harmony House offers services to homeless individuals, but they also offer after-school programs, medical screening for communicable diseases, job-ready training, life skills training, assistance in rest deposits and they give away clothing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m.
Harmony House is located on 124 W. Third St. in Mansfield, behind the Renaissance Theatre. Visit their website for more information or call 419-522-2273.
