Tent for Homeless man

RebekahR

Gingham_R wrote: »

I didn't help any homeless people this winter and I probably won't. I feel pretty crappy about that after reading your posts. Maybe that will spur me on to actually do something.

Same here,. But you know what it really speaks volumes about us. Charity begins at home!And yet the UK seems to have missed that and moved straight on to giving to Africa and other countries before looking after our own ...

How many of us really give money to save people in our country or do we only give to Africa causes. What about giving gifts like this ... we fill boxes for operation christmas child but how many of us go out and help our own homeless ... Imagine what difference every single one of us would make if we all went out and gave something even if it was small like a box of chocolates to a homeless person. That would make a big difference to some lives.

katerinasol

My husband works in a homeless hostel and while some of the residents are genuinely down on their luck, a lot are also on drugs or alcoholics and have plasma TV's etc on the wall; a lot have been kicked out by their parents who think they should move out of the parental abode and often visit in their Lexuses, BMW's etc. They also call the police and hospitals, Shelter etc regularly to see if there are any homeless people that need a roof over their heads. I can imagine they would be quite switched on to that sort of thing elsewhere and it's relatively easy to find accomodation in other cities.
By contrast, when I lived in Russia, it was a well-known fact that the homeless there were just scammers - a colleague of mine reported seeing a 9-month pregnant woman standing in the same spot for about a year and a half! I don't know who gives them money because most citizens know they're scammers but I suppose the tourists fall for it.

duchy

zaksmum wrote: »

Sadly though I've just seen my neighbour's 38 year old son in town begging, claiming to be homeless. I said to him, "You're not homeless...!" and he said "keep your voice down will you! People will hear you!"

I'd have asked the police to move him on and made sure they knew he wasn't homeless. Their choice what they do with the info.

Zoetoes

duchy wrote: »

If everyone who reads this thread did one thing -be it donate to a homeless charity -buy food for a homeless person-whatever and then posted -and if each person who read THEIR post did the same it snowballs.

CATS I think you've made a lot of people think -and become more open to helping -This thread has become about so much more than what you first intended. Kudos to you and Merry Christmas !

I actually think a lot of us will now do a little something after reading this.

Kirri

I know you've bought the items now, but last year Poundland did small ish fleeces for dogs for £1 (obviously!) and these are quite lightweight. I always feel sorry for the dogs sat there freezing on the ground and notice a lot of homeless people now also wrap the dogs up. My feelings on homeless people are very mixed coming from London but to the OP, an amazing gesture you've done however it's received or used.

ZMHoward

I started reading this thread yesterday, and didn't comment because I would have gotten irate at people's reactions. But having read through all 6 pages now, I had to comment. It is true, some will sell the items they are given, some can go to hostels and places (but a large percentage of these are full) and some would just be grateful for an hot drink.
Our local centre called the Trinity is crying out for people to volunteer, some evenings they can't open, at the time they should, as there are not enough staff.
My OH has had a cull of his thick jackets, and taken them to work with him to give out (these are big army and hunting jackets). I went and brought a beanie hat from Primark for £2 to give to a guy, yes he drinks, but he was grateful for it and the jacket OH gave him.
To be fair, there is always an underlying reason as to why these people are homeless, and sometimes they don't know how else to cope.
OH is incredibly passionate about charity starting at home, (has been for a long while) and we are going to ask our neighbours in our flats if they have just one warm piece of clothing which we can go out and give to the homeless, be it just a scarf.
But people are homeless all year round, so why at Christmas do we have a surge of conscience? I do include myself in that 'we', but with the passion of my OH and CATS wonderful sense of giving, I shall do something. Even if all I can do is ask neighbours for items so OH can give them out, as we have a young son, then I shall.
All it takes is someone to show them that they are not forgotten, even if it's an old piece of clothing that you've not worn for a year ... You're not going to miss it, you've not worn it ...

CATS

wow a lot of messages, when I started this all I wanted to know was if it would make sense to buy a tent or not It is so nice to see that there are a lot of people out there who care. Yes I know the reality of the drink drugs etc, but imagine how nice it would feel to know that you have made someone smile with something so small. To be honest when I decided to buy this for him I wasn't even thinking about Christmas, just about how much he needs it. Thank you all for your kind messages. Now I cant wait to give it to him

GeeBee38

Thank you CATS and we look forward to finding out how this 'act of kindness' works out.......

Look forward to reading about it soon........

Merry xmas

xxx

lostinrates

ZMHoward wrote: »

But people are homeless all year round, so why at Christmas do we have a surge of conscience? ...

I think there are a few reasons, and better that people think once a year than not at all. I think that the winter months living without shelter are seen as physically harder, and its a time of year where our routine is changed which can make us more observant, when we are thinking about the people we have in our life and notice in contrast those who have few and none ready to step upto the plate to help.


re homeless/beggars being moved on, I know from personal experience that some are moved on as they are known to shop security as being scammers, or pick pockets who turn out to have a roof over their heads and are putting their customers at risk.
These people might also be depserate, but it means lots of us have negative expereince at being scammed/duped by people less genuinely in need which makes us dubious: which is a dreadful thing to allow happen to us.

digitalphase

What a lovely thread, so heart warming to know that people like you, CATS, still exist I'm sure he'll be incredibly grateful for your gifts xx