Compassion for Campers Homeless Camping Gear Distribution Returns to McHenry

The camping gear distibution will take place in the First United Methodist Church in McHenry Paraking lot located at the rear of the church on West John Street seen here.

The Faith Leaders of McHenry County and Compassion for Campers will again be distributing camping gear and supplies to the homeless this Tuesday, September 1 from 3:30 to 5 pm at First United Methodist Church, 3717 Main Street in McHenry.

“Due to high demand we have increased our supplies of tents and sleeping bags and will have small propane camp stoves available in addition to plenty of mosquito spray, sunscreen, personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, and other essentials,” according to Patrick Murfin of Compassion for Campers.

Stocking the camping gear at an early event at the First United Methodist Church in McHenry.

Another distribution will be held in two weeks at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson in Woodstock on Tuesday, September 15 from 3:30-5 pm and additional events will continue into the fall.

Distribution of supplies will be drive through/walk up with face masks required, social distancing observed, and no gathering. 

The Faith Leaders of McHenry County is an informal group of clergy serving local congregations or as chaplains as well as lay leaders and volunteers who meet regularly to address the needs of the community. The group came together to share wisdom, experience, positive community action as the Covid-19 epidemic arose.  It has also taken up the issues of racism and privilege brought to the fore by the Black Lives Matter Movement and the protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and other Persons of Color and immigration justice.

Compassion for Campers is a program founded by the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry which has been serving the homeless every summer for the past eight years.  Monetary donations from the Faith Leaders and their congregations have been added to Compassion for Campers funds to purchase the gear.  

Additional donations can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation with Compassion for Campers on the memo line to the church at 5603 West Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050.  Compassion for Campers is a dedicated fund and no donations to it can be used by Tree of Life for any other purpose.  The church absorbs all administrative expenses so 100% of donations will be used to aid the homeless.

For more information contact Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail pmurfin@sbcglobal.net .