Finally - "Overnights" get the green light

Tonight's hearing (11/18) before the Plymouth zoning board of appeals was almost anticlimatic in voting in favor of the Taskforce for the Homeless' petition for permission to begin our cold weather shelter program (two+ weeks later than usual), the Overnights of Hospitality.
For those who haven't followed the stories in the papers, here's a little background. Earlier this year, the state fire marshal sent the Plymouth fire chief a letter saying the overnights program could only use the parish halls we've used for five years if they have sprinkler systems for fire protection.
Needless to say, although our all-volunteer organization has over 300 volunteers who provide the services that our homeless men need, money to install expensive sprinkler systems in five parish halls was not in our pockets.
We had meetings with town officials, contacted our state senator and representatives, consulted lawyers, etc. but no hint of a solution was on the horizon as autumn started. Finally some of the negotiations resulted in a meeting with several lawyers from various departments within the Department of Public Safety.
The legal squad came down from Boston with a draft of a "regulation" that would allow us to begin the Overnights program this fall.
But there were several hoops we had to jump through first, the last of which was the appeals board hearing tonight. There were at least 70 people crowded into the small hearing room, from several clergy to our volunteers and our homeless guys.
Attorney Ed Angley introduced our case. A handful of the attendees spoke in opposition, voicing concerns about the safety of their children if homeless men were around. Good grief. . .
The other 60 attendees voiced their support, including some of the homeless men in attendance. That's a bare bones story but there'll be more news coming along.

Walk . . . or donate

Crop Walk set for Oct. 25

The Crop Walk on Oct 25th at 12:30 p.m. starts at the Zion Lutheran Church, Court Street, North Plymouth; 25% of the money collected stays in our community. We still need walkers and sponsers. There are two choices of routes: 3 miles and 6 miles. Full information will be given out at the starting point.
For info contact Kim Fraser 508-747-3723 or donate online at www.cropwalk.org. Our Taskforce for the Homeless team is listed as Christ Church Parish Walkers. Thanks!

Dust off the golf clubs ... smooth your swing for May 31 tournament

Just what you need to prepare for the summer season ahead: a golf tournament on the afternoon of Sunday, May 31! Once again, the Taskforce for the Homeless' fundraising event will be at Souther's Marsh Golf Club on Federal Furnace Road in Plymouth.
Each year has been better than the previous: the golfing prizes are better, the silent auction is great, and -- as always -- the chef prepares a wonderful spread to send the golfers home well-fed.
The golfer's $115 pays the greens fee and a cart, a "welcome bag" of goodies, and the satisfaction of a good meal at the conclusion. Non-golfers can arrive around 6 p.m. to take advantage of the silent auction as well as the dinner buffet for $35.
For more information, contact Connie at conmel@aol.com or Doris at dorisj31@gmail.com.

Overnight volunteers love pancakes!

The Taskforce for the Homeless' annual "appreciation breakfast" attendance increased to more than 60 on April 18 -- could the draw be Dave Tassinari's stick-to-your-ribs pancakes, or maybe Jack Ryan's fluffy scrambled eggs? Whatever the reasons, it was a happy crowd at Loring Library of Zion Lutheran Church.
Connie Melahoures, Taskforce president, told the group that the Overnights of Hospitality saw a significant increase in the average number of men in the nightly census count. The Overnights, which start each year in October, continue to feed and house homeless men through the cold months, ending the first week in April.
The ranks of the volunteers -- those who prepare meals, do laundry, provide transportation and other supportive services -- grew from the 250 people on last year's list to more than 300 this past winter, Melahoures reported to the breakfasters.

Volunteers appreciation breakfast April 18

Volunteers who provided meals, transportation and companionship to the homeless guests at this years' Overnights of Hospitality will be honored at an appreciation breakfast at 9 a.m. April 18, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in North Plymouth. This season's nightly attendance often reached 16 or more, and averaged about double our first season in 2005. The more than 250 volunteers from many of the Plymouth congregations made it all possible.
The Lutheran Church is one of the Plymouth congregations that opened their facilities to house the men, a week at a time on a rotating basis from October to the first week of April. Other congregations include Christ Episcopal Church, First Parish UUA, Church of the Pilgrimage Congregational, Congregation Beth Jacob and First Baptist Church.

FORECAST: golfing ahead!

Take note: circle May 31 on your calendar for the third annual fundraising golf tournament for the Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless. The tournament will again be held at Souther's March Golf Club and the fee for golf, cart and festive buffet remains $115. There are sponsorship opportunities and prizes will be awarded to the best golfers.
More information will be sent soon by e-mail or snail mail -- or contact Doris Johnson at dorisj31@gmail.com.