On Monday, January 18th, in honor of Martin
Luther King, Jr., friends of Interfaith Action formed a car parade through
Evanston to raise awareness of the need for safe and warm places to sleep for
all of our Evanston neighbors, especially in the winter. Over 100 fabulously decorated
cars drove past the six central Evanston faith community facilities that host
the Emergency Overnight Shelter in rotation this winter: First United
Methodist, First Congregational, St. Lukes, St. Pauls, Beth Emet and the
Unitarian Church. We are so grateful to these congregations for sharing their
facilities. The parade started off with a lead police car, then Interfaith
Action Executive Director Sue Murphy (in a convertible!) and Aldermen Judy Fiske, Eleanor Revelle, Melissa
Wynne, and Robin Rue Simmons, followed by cars of many Interfaith Action
supporters with lots of kids riding along. Thanks to all who joined the parade
with special thanks to the Evanston police department for making the parade
flow smoothly.
Walk for Warmth on Wheels also raised critical funds to
support the Emergency Overnight Shelter, open every winter night. Donations of
over $35,000 were received. These funds are part of the $70,000 required to
operate the shelter annually – to provide
cots, bedding, laundry, warm beverages and paid supervisory staff. Thanks to
the many generous donors who are making sure no one has to sleep outdoors this
winter.
