Blankets and Coats

So yesterday, in a post on FB, Holly Smith, a colleague and member of the Board of Directors for Be The Change, posted a statement about me procuring a blanket for last night.  There is a story there.  I was going to call 211 (great resource!) to inquire about where I could get a blanket (or blankets) and warm clothing.  However, as a part of this exercise, I decided not to use my cell phone (another barrier homeless people may face).  I went to 3 different businesses and asked to use the phone and I was told they didn't have a phone for public use.  I also asked at the library that they could not allow me access to a phone (I understand that this is not the policy of the library.  I think I may have just spoke with an employee who was having a bad day.)  As a result, I could not contact 211 to ask for resources for blankets and clothing, so I slept out last night without a blanket and without a coat or additional clothing.

This morning, after leaving the library, I went to the Oklahoma City Day Shelter for lunch.  Mayflower Church provides lunch there every other Saturday.  They have been providing meals for the homeless community for 8 years.  What a great group of folks!  In addition to the meal, they provide clothing and hygiene items.  So, I got in line, hoping to get a blanket, some gloves, a coat and some hygiene supplies (Remember, after the Week on the Streets if over, I will donate all of the items I received during the week to people in need and I will make a financial contribution to the agency).  I got 2 clean pair of socks (jackpot!) and a toothbrush and toothpaste.  They didn't have gloves, coats or blankets.  One of the guests at the Day Shelter went and got a coat from his locker and gave it to me.  He had two coats and he wanted me to have one.  What a moving experience.  When we left the Day Shelter,  a church from Duncan Oklahoma was distributing items.  They had blankets!  I got 2 blankets, 2 additional stocking caps and another pair of shoes.  Amazing. 

Since I started this project, the people that have been the most helpful to me have been the homeless people that I have met.  They have offered shelter, clothing, food, etc.  They are incredibly generous folks.  I have been hesitant to accept assistance from other people, but the fact that they have offered has moved me.  As for the coat, I felt privileged to accept that gift.  I will return it when the week is over.  It mean a lot for the gentleman to give it to me.  I wanted to honor that gift.

Sometimes, we experience love and compassion from unexpected places.  Embrace it and pass it on.

Much Love
Jonathan