Compassion for Campers Has New Gear for the Unhoused in Crystal Lake

First Church Crystal Lake will host Compassion for Campers distribution on January 19.

With the support of The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, the host church, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold a cold weather indoor distribution at First Church, 236 West Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake on Tuesday, January 19 from 3:30 to 5 pm. 

“The distribution can be considered an extension of the National Day of Service associated with the Martin Luther King Day holiday on Monday,”  according to Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin.  “The unhoused who must spend all or much of their time camping out or sleeping in vehicles can rely on our program for good tents, sleeping bags, pads, tarps, stoves and fuel, gloves, hats, scarfs, warm winter wear, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food.”

Clients will be Covid-19 screened with a temperature check and standard screening questions.  No one failing the test will be turned away but we will ask what they need and  supplies will be brought out to them.  All clients are required to be masked before entering the building and a mask will be provided to anyone who does not have one.  Clients will be admitted one at a time and no more will be allowed inside at any time than the location can safely accommodate with correct social distancing.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for storage and the host area will be cleaned and disinfected. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution, especially younger folks in good health.  Contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or phone 815 814-5645 if you are available on Tuesday afternoons.  Distributions are scheduled two weeks apart and will rotate between sites in Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and McHenry.  Donations to continue this work can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Compassion for Campers on the memo line to the church.