Compassion for Campers Concludes Season and Appeals for Help

The Faith Leaders of McHenry County and Compassion for Campers will conduct the final out door distribution of camping gear and supplies to the homeless this season at St, Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson in Woodstock on Tuesday, October 27 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Warm clothes are now being offered as well a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) rations provided by the McHenry County Emergency Management and the McHenry Country Health Department, and single burner camp stoves.

Volunteers from the Crystal Lake-Ridgefield Presbyterian Church are assisting this week.

Distribution of supplies will be drive through/walk up with face masks required, social distancing observed, and no gathering. Among the supplies available while they last will be tents, sleeping bags, tarps and pads, camp stoves, coolers, mosquito repellent, sun screen, hygiene products, other sundries, and non-perishable food.

“Compassion for Campers hope to continue distributions over the winter at indoor locations but logistical issues have arisen and unless they can be resolved we may have to suspend operations until next spring,” according to Patrick Murfin, one of the program coordinators. “We need storage space for our gear, a reliable truck or van with driver to transport and return the gear from each distribution, and additional volunteers to help screen clients for Covid 19 and sanitize our spaces.”

For more information or to volunteer services contact Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail pmurfin@sbcglobal.net.

Donations to continue the work can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation with Compassion for Campers on the memo line to the church at 5603 West Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050. Compassion for Campers is a dedicated fund and no donations to it can be used by Tree of Life for any other purpose. The church absorbs all administrative expenses so 100% of donations will be used to aid the homeless.