On any night in our community, hundreds of men, women and children do not spend the night in their own homes.  They stay with friends and relatives, in shelters, abandoned buildings, tents and cars.  Many sleep outside - seeking whatever shelter they can find.   The pandemic has been devastating for those without homes. Food insecurity has become a major issue and the public buildings many people relied on for warmth and to maintain their personal hygiene are no longer accessible. 

Gimme Shelter is an event hosted by Phoenix Community Development Services to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those in our community without homes and to give our citizens an opportunity to help end homelessness in Central Illinois.

Gimme Shelter will be held on the evening of February 25, 2022.  Community members raise funds for the “privilege” of spending the night, from 6:00 pm in the evening until 6:00 am the next morning, outside in a cardboard box or in their car.  For those comfortable attending in person, a socially distanced event will be held at the RiverPlex.  For those who aren’t, a virtual option will enable participants to join in from their home or any other location they choose.  The event will also feature activities on the topic of homelessness, the challenge it poses for our society, and the solutions.

We hope you will consider supporting our efforts with either a donation of food and beverage refreshments for our hospitality room for Gimme Shelter participants or a prize for one of our top fundraising individuals or teams. In return for your contribution, we would be happy to recognize you in the event program and provide the opportunity to promote your business with a coupon or promotional item in the goody bags for participants and volunteers.  Enclosed is information about Gimme Shelter, as well as information about Phoenix Community Development Services and the impact we are making in central Illinois.  

 We appreciate your consideration!  If you have any questions, or need any additional information at all, please contact me at 309/360-3542 or kberchtold@phoenixcds.org. We look forward to hearing

from you!

Best wishes, 

Kristen L. Berchtold, CFRE

Director of Development