donation collection tonight (Fri. 12/18) at the rim ctr. anyone know details? (San Antonio: home, live)

[SA08]

I heard just a bit on the radio, a guy saying he & some others are going to spend the night in front of the Red Robin @ the rim. They will be collecting clothes/food for the homeless here in town. I didn't get to hear the whole thing - anyone know any details about this? i.e. who is doing this? Hours?
I have a few blankets, hats, jackets I'd like to donate to help folks stay warm & thought that might be a good thing to take the kids to. Not quite as "iffy" as a Mom taking kids under the bridges alone....

[ashbeeigh]

Sorry it's so long. I saw this on one of my friend's walls on Facebook. This is from the event page...Welcome to Facebook | Facebook

Come out and join San Antonio Ladies Ethnic Group and the San Antonio Food Bank as they give to the "Wishing for Warmth Homeless Sleep Out."

Event Program:
Begins Friday, December 18, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Ends on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 at 7 a.m.
LOCATION:
Red Robin @ the Rim
(210)558-0900
17403 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX 78257

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!
Of course, even though there is NO cost to participate, it is a fundraiser for area causes and organizations in need, so donations are suggested/encouraged. Please give from your heart. Give to help us help others. Give because it feel s good.

Please Donate the following needed items:
• Can foods
• Blankets
• New unwrapped toys for ages 1-12
• Monetary donations checks only. No cash please.


Donations may be dropped off anytime during the event. Please do not give cash for this event. We prefer that you make monetary donations as checks. Payable to: SALEG.

Participants thus far (staying overnight in box are):
************************************************** ******
Annette Ortiz- President/ Founder San Antonio Ladies Ethnic Group
Erica Benavides- San Antonio Food Bank Policy and Advocacy Manager, Community Investments Manager
Albert Flores- Owner DIVERSE MEDIA INC.
Melissa Martinez-Carrasco-Judicial Candidate
Veronica Petralla
Guy O'nell
Andrew Tejeda- Owner of Roof-Top
Aaron Alex and Nicholas F.- Representing our youth.
Michael Neubert- Representing our young adults
Valerie Flores
Valerie representing -Winestyles at the Rim

************************************************** ********
Please Note: All Sleep Out participants should dress warmly and possibly even bring extra clothes. Layering is important. Also, bring sleeping bags or blankets. Cardboard will be provided for creating makeshift shelter. Indoor restrooms will be provided.

Supporters:

Members SALEG (ladies and gents)
Red Robin @ The Rim
Roof-Top
Erika Peterson Barrientes- Portrait, Event and Commercial Photographer
Laura Marie- Singer/Song writer
Leona Marie- Photographer
Ed's High Flying Wings

Never heard of a Sleep Out? That's okay! You're not the only one. A Sleep Out is one of the ways we raise money and awareness for our homeless and food-insecure neighbors. Participants are invited to briefly experience the plight of homelessness for a night by sleeping outside, in the elements, in a cardboard box.

Outside? Cardboard box? In December? Yes. You read correctly. Although we could never duplicate the real experience of what it is like to be truly homeless - when loneliness, lack of food, poor health and fear of personal safety are just a few of the innumerable daily physical, emotional and psychological struggles - sleeping out for the night can focus your thoughts on the growing problems of hunger and homelessness right here in your area. Forgoing the comforts of your warm home and soft bed, even if just for a night, can teach us how each and every one of us can make a difference in ending local homelessness and food insecurity, and how that difference can spread nationwide.

There's has to be more than just sleeping out in boxes, right? Absolutely! In addition to providing a few creature comforts to warm you up on a cold December night - soup (for those staying overnight), hot chocolate by Ed's High Flying Wings at a $1.00 donation (proceeds going to SALEG), and live acoustic entertainment from Laura Marie. Representatives from area food bank, homeless shelters, as well as Annette Ortiz and Albert Flores who will speak throughout the night on issues of homelessness and food insecurity. Our goal is to empower and educate folks in all the ways they can make a difference in our community.

WHERE DO THE DONATIONS GO?
The Sleep Out benefits four organizations. All blanket donations go to the SALVATION ARMY. They provide temporary shelter for the homeless. Canned goods and other grocery items will go to the SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK. They provide food and other grocery items for our community. Monetary/ Toy donations will be split between S.A.NTA'S. FIREFIGHTER Toy Drive who need donations of new, unwrapped toys for children between the ages of one and 12. Toys are delivered by firefighters to families who need assistance providing presents for their children, and SAN ANTONIO LADIES ETHNIC GROUP, who aims to raise money and awareness providing services for local individuals, causes and organizations in need.

[Bo]

I had never heard of this before, but I heard Albert Flores on the radio this morning discussing this event. He said he'd been doing something similar for over 10 years, going back to when he was still a broadcaster.