Operation Good Thing helps homeless survive
TORONTO, ON - John Cassells, director of Light Patrol, tells the story of a 10-year-old girl who wanted to do something practical to help homeless people living on Toronto's downtown streets. So she asked her friends to bring items to fill Operation Good Thing bags for her birthday party.
"Operation Good Thing allows people to help out in a hands-on way," says Cassells. "This is what we hear a lot from people in the community - they want to be personally involved. And this allows them to do so safely and responsibly."
Light Patrol is a program of Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC). Each year they invite individuals, churches, and community groups to help create three types of gift bags: a 'street pack' with a sleeping bag and other outdoor cold weather survival items; a 'care kit' with toiletries, underwear, socks, a New Testament and Christmas treats; and a 'TLC bag' with toiletries and vitamins.
Cassells says, "It provides people with an opportunity to become involved in a short project that makes a genuine difference for those who are without a home this Christmas."
The initiative began 17 years ago when Light Patrol's founding director, Tim Huff, asked friends to help fill 20 cardboard boxes with much needed survival items for kids sleeping under the ramps of the Gardiner Expressway. This year the target is to fill 500 bags.
For a nominal fee, Youth Unlimited sends out an empty bag along with a shopping list of items to fill it. Light Patrol then distributes the completed bags during the holidays to a refugee center in Oshawa and various locations around Toronto.
"Changes in the way the municipal government has tackled the issue of homeless people has led to them being dispersed to the outlying areas and away from the downtown core," Cassells adds. "Some of these people end up far away from where the shelters are."
For more information about Operation Good Thing call 416-383-1229 ext. 316 or visit www.lightpatrol.ca.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
