By Ronica Shannon
Campaigns for several political offices will begin next year, but Betty Miller, who operates Richmond’s New Liberty Family Homeless Shelter, has started her own campaign and considers it an emergency.
The “Spread the Warmth Campaign” is an effort to provide proper winter clothing to Madison County’s children who sometimes have no choice but to go without.
“I noticed some of the kids (living at the homeless shelter) going out without any kind of jacket,” Miller said. “I notice kids standing out waiting on the bus, and they don’t have (warm clothing) on.. I just thought about doing this. I don’t know how well it will work, but I hope people will donate.”
The H1N1 flu epidemic, as well as the seasonal flus, make the “Spread the Warmth Campaign” especially pertinent, Miller said.
“The flu is expected to be widespread and is especially a threat to children,” she said. “It is very important that we execute plans to assist families in protecting their children in a very straightforward manner.”
Being without proper winter clothing can affect more than a child’s health, she said.
“Often, these children are too embarrassed to acknowledge the fact that they don’t have these items and their parents cannot afford to purchase them,” she said. “Children who do not have these basic needs met are not able to focus on their school work.”
America’s economic downturn is the main reason why some children must face the cold temperatures, Miller said.
“Many of these families suffer just to put food on the table or purchase even the basic items for their family; basic items such as shelter and heat,” she said. “Hats, gloves and scarves are items most of us take for granted, but for families that are struggling to purchase just the necessities, those items are way down on the needs list.”
Donations for hats, gloves and scarves of all sizes will be accepted until Nov. 25 and should brought to the shelter at 123 Pine Street Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“I would like to get it to them before Christmas,” Miller said.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
