Runners hit the road to raise money for homeless

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ESCANABA - The 3rd Annual Salvation Army Home Run 2009, which took place in Escanaba May 23, was a big success according to event organizers.

The event raises money for local agencies that provide shelter to homeless, and is also part of a larger plan to fill in gaps in homeless services in Delta County.

The Salvation Army Home Run Race is now in its third successful year. This family-oriented community fitness event has been organized and directed entirely by volunteers. A total of 90 volunteers helped with the race and 330 people took part in the races which included a 5K run, a 10K run, 5K walk, and Kids' Run, according to volunteer race director Bobbie Stacey.

"It overwhelms me - the turnout," said Stacey. "The Salvation Army Home Run was an entirely volunteer effort for the third year in a row. We had well over 80 volunteers to pull this off and I can't thank them enough. We had well over 400 people involved in this. Participation teams really came through."

The Salvation Army Home Run is part of a collaborative 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Delta County by creating Sustainable, Healthy, Inclusive Neighborhood Environments - a project called S.H.I.N.E., said Stacey. Proceeds from this year's event benefit Delta County agencies that provide shelter for our neighbors who are homeless including Alliance Against Violence and Abuse, Lutheran Social Services Voices for Youth, and The Salvation Army.

According to Stacey, approximately $2,500 was raised during the race.

"I about fell out of my chair when I opened the pledge envelopes...," she said. "In a really tough economic climate, I was afraid that the best we would do would be to keep the event alive for another year and break even. But, these donations ensure that a few thousand dollars will be available to help the homeless. We really do live in a great community."

Stacey said many think homelessness isn't an issue in Delta County and even she did not realize the extent of it until a few years ago.

According to Delta County homelessness statistics compiled for the next HUD Annual Homlessness Assessment Report, during the 12 month period between Oct. 1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2008, an average of more than 18 homeless people were sheltered each night of the year in Delta County, not including the always full, 15-bed capacity domestic violence shelter.

During this same time period, only eight emergency shelter beds were available in the entire county - four beds at the men's shelter run by The Salvation Army and a total of four beds between two rooms on site at St. Vincent de Paul. And these only include the homeless who have requested and received assistance, said Stacey. Many more homeless people are unaccounted for, left to fend for themselves.

This is why The Salvation Army is joining in the effort to provide shelter to homeless, said Stacey. The Salvation Army Home Run aims to bridge the gaps where agencies currently struggle to meet the needs of our homeless - in fund-raising, building an endowment for the future, and creating the most energy-efficient housing possible to shelter this population and give them the best footing possible toward self-sufficiency.