ONTARIO, Ohio — Harmony House’s annual Sleep Out for the Homeless event is underway. Volunteers set up camp outside Walmart’s doors in Ontario at 10 a.m. Friday, anticipating clear, mild weather for the night.
Groups including Mansfield and Madison high school Key Clubs, Boy Scouts, ABC Warehouse employees and a team from WMFD plan on staking plots of pavement for the night. They will be homeless until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Harmony House Executive Director Vicki Kane has participated in the fundraiser and homelessness awareness event for over 20 years. She said the funds go directly to maintaining Harmony House operations, but recently, she said, they have identified the need to expand.
“We have the land to expand, we just need to find a million dollars,” she said with a laugh.
Currently, the homeless shelter houses 21 men, 22 women and 11 children — and they are maxed out, Kane said.
According to Harmony House’s client statistics from 2014, 268 men, 144 women and 88 children were served.
“It’s definitely a need, unfortunately,” she said of expanding their facilities.
Volunteers from First United Methodist Church in downtown Mansfield stood outside Walmart’s doors to collect financial donations Friday afternoon.
Jean Swartz, a member of First United Church, praised Kane.
“Vicki does a terrific job on a shoestring,” she said as she accepted dollar bills and change from passersby. Swartz, a longtime Harmony House supporter, started volunteering during the annual fundraiser at Walmart two years ago.
“I think they’re doing wonderful things, and it’s needed in our community. I thought maybe this was a good way to keep supporting it,” said Swartz.
She and other volunteers collected money in small buckets. Then, when they filled, emptied the buckets into a larger waste container — which filled slowly and steadily Friday afternoon. But money is not all Harmony House is accepting, they welcome anything, said Kane.
“We’re collecting blankets, toilet paper, trash bags, cleaning supplies, towels,” Kane said. “Sometimes people (shoppers at Walmart) ask us what we need and they go get it.”
Kane said those interested in sleeping outside Friday night are more than welcome. The group is outfitted with a fire barrel, snacks and drinks.
In a September article, Kane said moving forward she hopes Harmony House will be able to provide services and housing to single fathers, youth and individuals with mental illnesses.
For more information on Harmony House and how to donate time, finances and resources, call 419-522-2283 or visit their website.
