Time to raise money for Cardboard City

To the editor:

It’s Cardboard City time! July 15-16, 5PM-8AM, Green Gate, Alaska State Fairgrounds. Come out, sleep out, help knock out homelessness in our Valley. Join us in our 9th year to raise money for Family Promise Mat-Su, our Valley nonprofit offering families without housing compassionate care through shelter, meals, and case management.

If you hear the word “homelessness” and you think “Anchorage,” think again. Did you know, right here in our Valley, there are well over 800 school children sleeping in cars, in tents, on someone else’s couch, and yes, even in cardboard boxes? In our Valley, families with children comprise 33% of the homeless population - a percentage growing larger each year. This is an increasing problem. This is a real tragedy!

Family Promise relies on money donated to move forward in its mission. That’s where Cardboard City comes in. Cardboard City is Family Promise’s major fundraising event. Each year, our community participates in this event designed to:

· Raise awareness for homeless families in our Valley, and to

· Raise money to support positive action in serving this population.

Prior to this event, individuals or groups gather pledges to “rent” a cardboard box to use as dwellings. The cost: from $50 to $500, depending upon the size of a chosen dwelling or amount collected from family and friends. Then the fun begins! It’s like home-coming! Regulars, many of whom have been with us from the beginning, visit with old friends and revel in meeting new ones. They decorate their “homes,” listen and dance to great music from local bands, and this year, will decorate T-shirts provided. There are door prizes, and certificates for the wildest, craziest, most original “homes” built, especially for those seen from outer space!

All eat together from a bread line donated by local restaurants and bakeries. Inspirational speakers from diverse groups and alumni add to the high spirits and camaraderie. Whenever alumni speak, all listen. Whenever Maria speaks to her struggles and how Family Promise helped her family, all listen and are mesmerized by her story. Her husband was deployed, and when he came back, the family found themselves in a homeless situation. After time with Family Promise, that all changed. She, as so many other guests, is a remarkable woman. She eventually joined our Board.

Though bedtime stories are read to lull us into the sleep zone, giggles can be heard throughout the night as participants toss and turn in their make-shift homes while braving Alaska weather for just one night. By8am Saturday morning, all are packed up and off to the comforts of their own home and beds.

Cardboard City represents only a miniscule part of the challenges families without housing face daily. Nothing can really get this point across … shy of swapping places with them. However, participation in this event and donations garnered will help, and all monies raised go directly to assisting these Valley families.

Due to the generosity of our attendees, local businesses and sponsors, we generated close to $10,000 last year. This helped us considerably. But we need so much more. The needs of our Family Promise families are great. We are reaching out to you, Mat-Su community. Help us raise awareness and money for those among us who are in desperate need. Mark your calendar! Join us for Cardboard City July 15 as we work toward stamping out homelessness in our Valley!

We look forward to hearing from you, and we will be pleased to answer your questions. It’s best if you register online so we have a good count for supplies. Visit us on Facebook at Family Promise Mat-Su and Cardboard City Mat-Su. Contact us at: www.familypromisematsu.org, 907-357-6160, orpromise@mtaonline.net

Thank you for considering this worthy cause. We are all better off when we help the least of us in our community.

—Gini King-Taylor

Family Promise

Mat-Su Board