Compassion for Campers And Warp Corps Partner to Deliver Gear

Conditions like these can be deadly for the homeless.  Compassion for Campers donated funds to Hope Takes Action, a ministry of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for emergency hotel rooms during the cold and snow emergency and camping gear for those still outside is available at Warp Corps in Woodstock.  Photo by Rosanne Jesperen Rath.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold its monthly distribution at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock, which is both centrally located and has existing contacts and relations with the homeless community and the social service agencies that serve them, on Tuesday February 16 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  Client access to Warp Corps will be from the rear entrance on Jackson Street.

Heather Nelson, Carlos Salgado, and Rob Mutert of Warp Corps at a Compassion for Campers distribution.

Warp Corps will also have major gear on hand including tents, sleeping bags, mats, tarps, and stoves for walk-in access any day during the continuing winter cold and snow emergency.

“We also remind our unhoused friends that a program administered by Hope Takes Action, a ministry of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, can provide emergency hotel rooms while temperatures remain below 20 degrees,” said Patrick Murfin, Compassion for Campers coordinator. “Call Hope Takes Action at 815 385-3251 or contact local police who have agreed to provide transportation to the hotels.”

At the Tuesday gear distribution at Warp Corps 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. 

Compassion for Campers is grateful to the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, volunteers from Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, and Warp Corps for their invaluable support.

To contribute to these programs call Hope Takes Action at 815 385-3251 for information or give to Compassion for Campers 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. The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose.  Tree of Life also donates all of the administrative expenses of the program.