Warp Corps folks at a Compassion for Campers distribution in Woodstock.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no reliable shelter, has announced a revised schedule of  distributions for the remainder of the cold weather months.  The program is going to once a month service instead of every two weeks in February, March, and April.   

According to Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin, “After discussions with our great volunteers and in recognition of the difficulties we have in reaching the homeless population we aim to serve, all distributions will be held 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.”  Client access to Warp Corps will be from the rear entrance on Jackson Street.

Distributions will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5 pm on the following dates—February 16, March 16, and April 13. 

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. 

Camping gear laid out at First Church in Crystal Lake on January 19.

The Compassion for Campers warm weather outdoor program will resume in May at church sites and will probably resume rotating between Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and McHenry.  More information on that will be forthcoming.

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.

Volunteers are still 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.  Donations 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. 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.

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.

Compassion for Campers Has New Gear for a New Year in Woodstock

Compassion for Campers volunteers and Warp Corp personnel at a November distribution

With the support of the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, Warp Corps, 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 special New Year’s week distribution at be at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock on Tuesday January 5 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  Clients are asked to use the back entrance on Jackson Street.

“The mild, relatively dry December has given way to frigid overnight temperatures, wet heavy snow, and worse ice,”  according to Compassion for Campers facilitator 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 buildings 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. 

Compassion for Campers Hosts Christmas Week Distribution in McHenry

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 special Christmas Week distribution at be at the First United Methodist Church, 3717 Main Street in McHenry on Tuesday December 22 from 3:30 to 5 pm. 

The group is well supplied with 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 buildings 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. 

Compassion for Campers volunteers and Warp Corps staff at the November 24 distribution in Woodstock with just some of the gear available.  

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.

 

 

First Church Crystal Lake to Host Compassion for Campers this Tuesday

First Church Crystal Lake will host Compassion for campers on December 8.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold its next indoor distribution at First Church Crystal Lake at 236 West Crystal Lake Avenue on Tuesday, December 8 from 3:30 to 5 pm. 

Compassion for Campers is rising to the challenges presented by the latest Coronavirus mitigation orders while making sure the unhoused are served.

Homeless clients at the November 24 Compassion for Campers distribution at Warp Corps in Woodstock

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 buildings 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 Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock.  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.

This distribution is sponsored by The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, First Church Crystal Lake, Compassion for Campers, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers. 

Warp Corps to Host Compassion for Campers Distribution in Woodstock

Camping gear laid out at First United Methodist Church in McHenry for the first indoor distribution of the season on November 10.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold its second indoor distribution for the winter at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street, Woodstock on Tuesday, November 24 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  

Warp Corps is dedicated to preventing suicide, substance use disorder, and homelessness particularly among at-risk youth.  Clients are asked to use the rear entrance on Jackson Street.  The door will be marked.

Pictured from left to right are members of the Warp Corps Team--Carlos Salgado, Julius Coronado, Jesse Soto, Warp Corps founder Rob Mutert, Heather Nelson,  and Natalie Hume.

Compassion for Campers is rising to the challenges presented by the latest Coronavirus mitigation orders while making sure the unhoused are served.

Clients will be Covid-19 screened out side 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.

This distribution is sponsored The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, Warp Corps, Compassion for Campers, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers.

Compassion for Campers Moves Indoors for Winter Distributions

The last out side Compassion for Campers distribution was held at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Woodstock on October 27.  Starting this month things move inside for the cold weather season.

Note--The promised  analysis of Illinois and McHenry County election results will be posted on Friday.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter will move indoors this winder at three locations—First United Methodist Church, 3717 Main Street, McHenry (enter basement from rear parking lot); Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street, Woodstock (enter marked door on Jackson Street side), and First Church, 236 West Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake (enter marked door only.)  Each location will host at six week intervals for the duration of the season.

Here is the schedule for the November-April season. 

        First Methodist McHenry—Nov. 10, Dec. 22, Feb. 2, March 16, April 13

       Warp Corps—Nov. 24, Jan. 4, Feb.16, March 30

       First Church—Dec. 8, Jan. 19, March 2, April 20

Distribution will be from 3:30- 5 pm on each of these Tuesday afternoons. 

Clients will be Covid-19 screened out side 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 bring supplies out to them.  All clients are required to be masked before entering the buildings 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 individual location can safely accommodate with correct social distancing.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for our 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 any of the dates listed.  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.

The distributions are sponsored The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, host churches, Compassion For Campers, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers.

Compassion for Campers Concludes Outdoor Season and Appeals for Help Over Winter

Many of the unhoused in McHenry County will continue to have to camp over the winter as new homelessness will continue to rise.  Compassion for Campers ability to continue serving this population now depends on securing new storage and transportation as well as additional volunteers. 

 

The Faith Leaders of McHenry County and Compassion for Campers will conduct the final outdoor distribution of camping gear and supplies to the homeless this season at St, Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 West Jackson in Woodstock on today, Tuesday, October 27 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.  Warm clothes are now being offered as well a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) rations provided by McHenry County Emergency Management and the McHenry Country Health Department.

Volunteers from the Crystal Lake-Ridgefield Presbyterian Church are assisting this week.

Distribution of supplies will be drive through/walk up with face masks required, social distancing observed, and no gathering.  Among the supplies available while they last will be tents, sleeping bags, tarps and pads, camp stoves, coolers, hygiene products, other sundries, and non-perishable food.

 “Compassion for Campers hopes to continue distributions over the winter at indoor locations but logistical issues have arisen and unless they can be resolved we may have to suspend operations until next spring,” according to Patrick Murfin, one of the program coordinators.  “We need storage space for our gear, a reliable truck or van with driver to transport and return the gear from each distribution, and additional volunteers to help screen clients for Covid 19 and sanitize our spaces.” 

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

Donations to continue the work 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.

Compassion For Campers and Faith Leaders Continue Gear Distribution

 

St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Woodstock.

The Faith Leaders of McHenry County and Compassion for Campers will continue to distribute camping gear and supplies to the homeless.  St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson in Woodstock, will host the next distribution on Tuesday, September 15 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  More offerings are scheduled in Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock in September and October.

“The unhoused in McHenry County continue to need camping gear as we head into the fall months,” according to Patrick Murfin of Compassion for Campers.  “Indications are that many will still require such aid as we go into the colder months.” 

This week the Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers will also be on hand with items and box lunches.

Distribution of supplies will be drive through/walk up with face masks required, social distancing observed, and no gathering.  Among the supplies available while they last will be tents, sleeping bags and pads, tarps, camp stoves, coolers, mosquito repellent, sun screen, hygiene products, other sundries, and non-perishable food.

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 .

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 .