PORTLAND BUSINESS OWNER SPEARHEADS GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO HELP AREA HOMELESS

November 21, 2014 (Middletown, CT) – Libby Carrier, Portland business owner and resident, is once again collecting basic essentials for Middletown’s homeless population. Her project, Operation Comfort: Care Packages for the Homeless, is a grassroots community effort founded in honor of her late brother, Conrad Cook, who died in 2012 after a period of homelessness. The project’s mission is to provide the homeless residents of Middletown with “comfort care packages” for winter.

“We are excited to begin our second year of Operation: Comfort. After my brother Conrad, who was homeless and suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, drowned in 2012, my sons and I started this project to honor his memory,” said Libby Carrier, founder of Operation: Comfort and owner of Main Street Massage and Wellness in Portland.

“Last year, each care package contained two stamped postcards and I asked everyone to let their families know that they were safe. One man told me he had not spoken to his father in six years, but promised to write him that night. A woman told me, ‘A lot of us just feel forgotten.’ People cried. I cried! I cannot imagine a winter without our family doing this project,” continued Carrier.

With an initial fundraising goal of $600 in 2013, the project raised nearly $4,000. The funds were used to create 75 care packages for the guests of Eddie Shelter and the extra money went towards repairs to the shelter’s facilities and an industrial dishwasher. This year’s goal is $1,000 to cover care package supplies for the shelter and local warm up station. Any leftover supplies will be donated to a local shelter in Waltham, MA where Conrad Cook had frequently stayed.

Financial donations may be made at: gofundme.com/operation-comfort. Supply donations are welcomed and arrangements can be made for pick-up or drop-off. Donation boxes will be set up in Portland and Farmington. For further details, visit the project’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/ForConrad

Items needed (full or travel size)

Soap or Shower gel-Shampoo/Conditioner; Lotion; Chemical hand & toe warmers; Shaving cream; Razors; Q-tips; Medicated lip moisturizers; Dental floss or flossers; Deodorant; Combs; Toothbrushes; Toothpaste; Wet wipes; Tissues; Insulated socks; Wool hats; Thinsulate gloves; 2 stamped postcards; All-day bus pass; $5 Dunkin Donut gift certificate; Blankets; Laundry detergent; Dryer sheets; Tampons and maxi pads; Waterproofing camp spray; Clothing, Coats, Socks

ABOUT OPERATION COMFORT: CARE PACKAGES FOR THE HOMELESS

Operation Comfort: Care Packages for the Homeless is a grassroots project with a mission to provide the homeless population of the Middletown CT area with basic essentials for winter. The project was started in 2013 by Libby Carrier and her sons as a way to honor the memory of her brother, Conrad, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and died in 2012 after a period of homelessness. Libby hopes to raise awareness about homelessness and help those in need. This project is 100% community funded.

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For media inquiries please contact: Sarah Archambault / sarah.archambault@gmail.com / 917-923-9838. Or, send a message on the organization’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/ForConrad