This year’s SleepOut for Shelter has so far raised over $180,000 and the donations are still coming in. The outpouring of support was inspired by a generous 2-to-1 match, up to $100,000, provided by the McHenry County Community Foundation.
“To play a part in inspiring the community to come together and support an organization such as McHenry County PADS is a wonderful opportunity. The Foundation exists to support the needs of our community,” said Robin Doeden, Executive Director of the McHenry County Community Foundation.
To receive the full $100,000 the community had to raise $50,000. Luckily, the 2-to-1 match inspired a healthy competition between fundraisers to raise more money than ever before.
This made for a suspenseful year of which team would be awarded the “Make Change Challenge” Traveling Trophy. Each year Pioneer Center awards a traveling trophy to the team that fundraises the most money for SleepOut for Shelter. This year the winner is Team LifeSpring, raising nearly $9,000. Team LifeSpring describes itself as having “big hearts, great passion and participation.”
“On behalf of myself and the parishioners of Church of Holy Apostles, we couldn’t be more thankful for the outpouring of support the community has shown for this event. We applaud Team LifeSpring for claiming this year’s win of the traveling trophy,” said Fr. Paul White, Pastor of Church of Holy Apostles, this year’s SleepOut for Shelter host site. “We look forward to more cardboard shelters, more tents and more community coming together next year on our grounds in support of ending homelessness in McHenry County.”
Onsite 440 people participated at the SleepOut event held at Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry—more than double last year’s total. This number included twelve schools, twelve churches and numerous community groups. Over 1,000 people made donations and hundreds more participated in various “alternative” SleepOut events within the last month.
Those who would still like to get involved with SleepOut for Shelter still can…“Make Change” donations will be accepted through the end of May at the following four McHenry County First Midwest Bank locations: 4502 W Crystal Lake Road and 3510 W Elm Street in McHenry, 170 S Illinois Route 31 in Crystal Lake, and 3805 N Johnsburg Road in Johnsburg.
Christin Kruse, Chief Development Officer for Pioneer Center, poses with Fr. Paul White, Pastor at the Church of Holy Apostles this year’s SleepOut for Shelter site, as Robin Doeden, Executive Director of the McHenry County Community Foundation, presents the $100,000 2-to-1 matching grant check.
