Homeless Children in USA's Democracy Need Winter Coats
While the United States spreads freedom and liberty across the Middle East -- anyone outside of the states dreaming of sunny Sundays in San Diego and Los Angeles should listen up to how some children live in a Democracy.
There are now so many homeless children and families in both San Diego and Los Angeles counties (in southern California) that an emergency appeal for winter clothing was made by the homeless shelters.
The shelters do not include (literally) thousands of children, families, and those down on their luck who live on the streets without seeking nighttime shelter. One can meet hundreds of those children by walking across the eastern fringe of downtown Los Angeles each night past cardboard boxes and makeshift stoves.
"The Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles and the San Diego Rescue Mission are announcing an immediate and urgent need for warm coats for the homeless population – especially for homeless children," the statement read.
"Our Nueva Vida Haven shelter for women and children has been at or near capacity over these extremely cold nights. We have noticed a shortage of warm coats for homeless children aged 18 months to 10 years old," said Herb Johnson, president and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission. "The Thomas Kinkade coat drive could not come at a more perfect time with the onset of cold winter weather."
The White House press office did not respond to requests by Think & Ask in response to southern California's new homeless needs. However, President George W Bush was in the Middle East this past week vowing to continue brining the same democracy found in the United States to those living in the Middle East. Currently, the cost for occupying Iraq and Afghanistan has topped $300 billion; with tens of billion dollars more buried in special interest Congress and House bills.
Jackets in the United States will cost between $30 and $50, but the homeless shelters will accept used and slightly worn appearing clothing.
"We at Union Rescue Mission have received urgent requests from our staff working with children and youth for warm coats and jackets over the last several days,” said Andy Bales, president of the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles.
As is usually the case in the United States, help comes in the form of donations from households.
To support and assist in the coat collection in southern California on 2 December, 20 of Thomas Kinkade Company’s southern California galleries are collecting new and gently used coats.
Los Angeles area drop off locations include Thomas Kinkade galleries in Valencia, Thousand Oaks, Long Beach, Chino, Montclair, Brea, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Monrovia, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Riverside, Irvine, Santa Ana, Lake Arrowhead and Palmdale. San Diego locations include Temecula and San Diego.
As further incentive for people to donate coats, participating Thomas Kinkade galleries will give out a free copy of the book “The Art of Creative Living” by Thomas Kinkade (a $19.99 retail value) and a redemption certificate good for $100 off the cost of a frame for a limited edition Thomas Kinkade canvas to each person who donates a coat.
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