Community Corner

SleepOut for Shelter Raises $60,000

The second annual event benefits McHenry County PADs.

With the hopes of ending homelessness in McHenry County, the second annual SleepOut for Shelter event raised $60,000 this past April.

McHenry County PADs provided the following account of the event:

High winds and the threat of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 350 people who gathered together at two rally sites for the 2nd Annual SleepOut for Shelter on April 30. 

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The event benefited McHenry County PADS a division of Pioneer Center for Human Services.

Supporters gathered at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake and Petersen Park in McHenry for a one hour rally in an effort to educate the public on homelessness in McHenry County and to raise funds. Many participants pitched their tents or built a cardboard box shelter at the rally sites and spent the entire night outside braving the 2:00 am downpour. 

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By morning more than $60,000 had been raised to help end homelessness in McHenry County.

“It was a humbling experience,” said Christin Kruse, Vice President of Fund Development for Pioneer Center. “I look forward to growing the event next year as it is the perfect opportunity to teach kids to live in gratitude and give back to their community.”

The event included an Ultimate Team Challenge that pitted businesses and organizations throughout the county against each other to try and raise the most money for McHenry County PADS.  Team FATS, made up of eight friends and colleagues including Bob Smith, Alto Laroussi, Dave Butler, David Poole, Jeff Weck, Liam Weck, Joshua Smith and Matthew Pool, won the challenge raising over $3,500.  They will proudly display the event’s traveling trophy for the next year.

To learn more about McHenry County PADS visit www.mchenrycountypads.com or call 815-338-5231.  To learn more about Pioneer Center visit www.pioneercenter.org or call 815-344-1230.


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