Inside 43215: Downtown Lifestyles
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
RUB A DUB, DUB
When was the last time you actually gave a thought about taking a shower or dipping your toes into a steamy warm tub? If you are like the vast majority of peeps reading this, it probably doesn’t cross your mind unless you’re counting the hours until you take the plunge.
But there are a whole host of folks out there who don’t have access to a warm tub, warm house or a warm blanket. In a community partnership with Faith Mission, Friends of the Homeless and the Engagement Center at Maryhaven, Capital Crossroads SID launched a toiletry drive that runs through November 19.
“The downtown shelters anticipate record numbers of homeless this year and winter is right around the corner,” said Lisa Defendiefer, Downtown Safety Coordinator for Capital Crossroad SID. “Providing toiletries will go a long way to help the shelters meet at least some of the basic needs of every client they serve.”
So, gather up your new, unopened toiletries (sample sizes are the grooviest) as well as other personal hygiene items like soap, shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, shaving cream, disposable razors, combs, socks, underwear or feminine hygiene products and drop them off at the SID office, 23 N. Fourth Street. If that isn’t convenient, we’ve got drop boxes located at the Capitol Square office building, Seneca Apartments, Tiano and Associates, Bricker and Eckler, One Columbus, State Auto, Ohio Education Association, Catholic Foundation, Ruggery Building, Midland Building, LeVeque Tower, Department of Insurance and Chamber of Commerce. Whew, that’s a lot of places helping out so you won’t have to walk far.
If you you’re short on time and can’t rummage through your linen closet or make it to the store to pick up a few things, take a break from the virtual stacks of e-mail and drop off a check to the SID or any of the Capital Crossroads Ambassadors – you know who they are – the men and women in the blue and fluorescent green jackets who keep our sidewalks sparkly clean and always have a smile to share. Please make your tax-deductible donation payable to Faith Mission, Friends of the Homeless or Maryhaven, and SID staff will get it to the right folks.
The toiletry drive runs through November 19 so feel free to replenish the bins as often as possible. Good deeds really do come in small packages.
