Operation “Coat of Protection” – 2 Local Businesses Team Up.
Henderson county has its fair share of homeless individuals. Two local business owners have teamed up in order to try and reduce the suffering of the homeless this holiday season. No one ever wants to be homeless in this life. But, oftentimes personal experiences, illness, and even the loss of loved ones can cause someone to become homeless. Furthermore, with an overreaching economy and more money being but into frivolous exploits – the American people are left struggling and at times the struggle becomes too much to bear.
Suicide And Deaths Of The Homeless
It is no surprise that many homeless people suffer from mental health issues, which are often a product of the negative experiences they have gone through. People on the streets are prevalent to develop mental illness, which of course, can be the catalyst for some taking their own lives.
Suicide and Deaths in our homeless community continue to rise. But, as Steve Wilkie maintains,
“One death on the streets is one too many.”
Homeless people struggle every day with the simplest of things, often the very things that we take for granted in our lives.
The Struggle With Living On The Streets
The struggle is real for every homeless individual. However, it goes beyond mental health and can also cause physical health problems for many of the homeless community. Depression in the homeless community is a pandemic and those who are severely depressed are apt to succumb to deepened mental disorders and complications arising from the situation they find themselves in through no fault of their own.
Just finding a meal is hard when you are on the streets and relationships are often nonexistent due to the impact and loss of trust within the community.
As we move into the holiday season, there is nothing jolly and bright for our homeless on the streets. The cold weather alone can bring death to a homeless door even though there are no doors and no roofs. But there is light in the darkness around Hendersonville when it comes to serving the homeless community.
Blessings Abound – The Free Clinics.
The Free Clinics is a non-profit organization that offers medical, counseling and so much more to the homeless, non-insured, and low-income communities around Henderson county. They are always looking for volunteers and donations to help their community.
Two local businessmen, Stephen Wilkie (Blue Ridge Cabinet Connection) and Jason Gladdon (The Landing Depot) joined forces to bring some warmth to potentially cold nights in the hope that a little comfort and care will show the homeless community they are cared for, not forgotten and that may even save a life.
“The Free Clinics is deeply grateful for the generosity of donors like Stephen Wilkie and Jason Gladden from the Landing Depot. Especially during the cold winter days like this week, we were so happy to be able to give our clients some much-needed supplies. Thank you so much to both gentlemen, and we are honored they chose us to receive their donations.” Cassie Ashworth – Free Clinics Assistant Director.
Placing a Coat Of Protection
The smallest things can make a difference in someone’s life. A smile, a word, and maybe even a gift can bring light where there was once darkness. Those of us who have never experienced what it is like to live a homeless life in the community will often take things for granted. We will talk about gratitude at church on Sunday and espouse the values of our beliefs, but turn our eyes when we see suffering. Furthermore, in our search for happiness, we fail to experience happiness in others. How sad is it that we cannot recognize the smallest things that can make such a dramatic impact?
Stephen and Jason know this only too well and have stepped up to bring some comfort on a cold night. They joined forces to give winter coats to the homeless community and donated them to the free clinics to be able to distribute them to those in need. We asked Jason why he decided to do this for the homeless community. This is what he said;
“I have been blessed in my life, and so I believe in paying it forward. If I can help one person by showing I care and giving back, then why would I not do that.”
Where do we go from here?
Stephen continues to look for other ways to support the homeless and suffering community. He has connected with several organizations and his philanthropic operations will continue to grow. He will also be providing to other local organizations such as the Giving Heart Ministries in support of their work in the community.
