BRATTLEBORO — On Friday, May 9, the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center and Morningside Shelter host the second annual Camp for a Common Cause on the Brattleboro Common.
The event, aimed at raising funds and awareness to combat homelessness here, was a great success last year, organizers said, with roughly $10,000 raised and evenly divided to foster each group's mission.
Both the Drop In Center and Morningside Shelter work to alleviate homelessness in the greater Brattleboro area.
Most importantly, organizers said, last year's participants and the community gained valuable awareness and perspective on homelessness in our community.
“It was chilly overnight, in the 30s,” said Heidi Risner, a participant who raised almost $300 from among family and friends to support last year's event.
“Luckily, I was warm in my tent and sleeping bag, realizing that these are not luxuries often afforded to the homeless. It was definitely a meaningful reminder of what some in our community experience on a daily basis,” she added.
This year's Camp for a Common Cause features a family-friendly community barbecue with face painting. Live music from local favorites Groove Prophet - promising “classic and modern rock hits and more” - kicks off at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the barbecue are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available for sale at Morningside Shelter, 81 Royal Rd.; the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, 60 South Main St.; and Shoe Tree, 135 Main St.
The barbecue is open to the public.
Participating campers are asked to raise at least $100 per person, or $250 per team, to be evenly split between Morningside Shelter and the Drop In Center. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Barbecue tickets are included for campers who meet the suggested fundraising minimum, and prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers.
Moreover, Jessica Bennett of Hair by Jessica has donated a free haircut to the camper who emerges from the experience “with the worst hair” on Saturday morning.
Campers may set up tents on the Common from 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and are asked to have packed up, after a light breakfast, by 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Campers, and those wishing to contribute to a participating camper or team, should register or donate, respectively, at www.MorningsideShelter.org.
As well, donations can be mailed to Morningside Shelter, P.O. Box 370, Brattleboro, VT 05302, with checks made payable to Morningside Shelter.