Helping Humanity
On Friday before Christmas Mary went out in the field with a couple guys who help the homeless. They had approached her about possibly using our CYMA machine (sound therapy) on the homeless to help relieve aches and pains so she went out to see what that world was like.
The three of them went to visit 2 people who live under a railroad bridge in a tent that was torn to the point that it didn’t provide much shelter from rain, wind or snow.
Their goal was to put up a new tent for them. Mary can take it from here:
The thing that amazed me was the reality of people on the street still wanting a home! Rats had eaten through the old tent and the terrible cold and rainy snow were pouring in. I thought, “How can I help them?”
We went to a second site where 2 guys lived behind the marginal road by some railroad tracks. Theirs was a nicer place, made out of some kind of structure with blankets over it and a tarp over the whole. And they had a couple cots or lounge chairs so they were up off the ground.
One of the guys walked back to the truck with us to get a coat, a pair of thermals, some mittens and a few bottles of water.
The truck looks like it’s from Sanford & Son, loaded down with whatever supplies have been donated for the homeless: clothes, boots, shoes, mittens, sometimes firewood is donated, blankets, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, granola bars.
Desperately needed are 12 hour hand warmers and socks.
The last place we went was a wooden box under a bridge in the flats. I’ll never forget, it was sitting in a large puddle of water and I don’t think the guys living there had pallets so they were living in muddy water, with no warmth in this winter.
At each stop we gave the people items they needed, that would help make life a little better. I felt overwhelmingly grateful for my own life and that I could help these people.
I’d wanted to join the Peace Corp when I was younger, and it’s amazing to really see that I don’t have to go to a third world country, I can work here in my own city and do some good.
The shelters are full and overflowing, especially in these bitter cold nights we’ve had lately. And some of our homeless won’t go into a shelter because they’ve had their few belongings stolen or they’ve been abused by predators.
If you want to help with donations, money or your time, one contact in Cleveland Ohio is:
The Metanoia Project
Jim Schlecht 216-924-0429
Carl Cook 216-376-0396
