May, 2013
“Look for the helpers.”
By Rev. Rick Reynolds
When there is a disaster, like the one
we experienced in Boston, I follow Mr.
Roger’s advice. “Look for the helpers.”
There were so many heroic people who
leaped into action immediately after
the bombs went off. Before the dust
had settled the helpers were rendering
aid. They risked their own safety, and
saved many lives.
Locally, 9,000 people are homeless in
Seattle/King County. More than 2,700
human beings will not have basic shelter tonight. The shelters are full.
As an organization, Operation Nightwatch is doing everything it can to bring tender
loving care to those who are suffering. We would like to hire an extra person, so we can
do more street outreach. Will you help us accomplish this?
Deacon Joe Curtis, before he died, loved telling about the time he was delivering
sandwiches to Nightwatch. He fell with a thud in the rain, just outside our doors. When
he opened his eyes, he was being sheltered by a homeless guy. “Help is on the way. I’ll
stay with you.” Deacon Curtis could not get through the story without a catch in his
throat. We all need those helpers at some point.
Lord, Thank you for the helpers among us. Let us run quickly to come to the aid of those
in distress.
Rearview
By Ben Curtis
While getting into my car at the grocery
store the other day, I thought I saw a
former client walking by.
I sat in the car, watching my rearview
mirror, to see if it was truly him. It was.
Serving the night
community in the
name of Christ
GiveBIG!
Please support Nightwatch through
this year’s GiveBIG event on May
15! Donate online through the
Seattle Foundation website on that
day, and Nightwatch will receive a
partial match, made possible by
Seattle Foundation donors and
corporate funders.
www.seattlefoundation.org/npos/
Pages/OperationNightwatch.aspx
What a relief! We were missing him at
the Nightwatch Dispatch Center for
quite a while. When our homeless
friends disappear, we worry. We really
worry if they’re one of the homeless
seniors we serve. I was glad to see him
alive and moving.
He paused for a moment right behind
my car. He pulled his wallet out and
reached for some cash before going in
the store. “He seems to be doing well for himself,” I thought. I smiled as he continued
on his way.
I hope and pray that all our clients can look at their homeless struggles in the rearview
mirror of their lives.
So many formerly-homeless people have moved on, thanks to people like you, who give
to Nightwatch! Your help is needed. Please give today.
PO Box 21181, Seattle, WA 98111 | www.seattlenightwatch.org | Phone: 206-323-4359, After 7pm 206-329-2099
Volunteer Orientation
Open House
The best way to learn about
Nightwatch and the many
volunteer opportunities.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
7:30—8:30 pm
Memorials & Tributes
Memorials
Chip Barthel
Jack & Bonnie Barthel
Chuck Booth
Laurine Booth
Helen Bruun
Harald Bruun
William E. Burch
Jack & Marion Sullivan
Charley Bush
Peter & Susan Acker
Clark & Evalea Beck
Lynn Bernstein
Betsy & John Darrah
Charles Desiderio &
Alexandra O’Reilly
David Hayes
Kerry Hegedus &
KerriLyn Vander Heyden
Marli & John Iverson
Linda Kelly
Blake Lankford &
Nancy Graves Lankford
Jim & Eileen Simpkins
Helen Carlock
Margaret Ridgeway
James Chasse
Myron & Carole Maas
Earl Crouse
Miriam Crouse
Tributes
Jean Daly
Mary DeLorenzo
Tony Domzalski
Mark & Lisa Domzalski
Pat Domzalski
Virginia Gerner
Jim & Nancy Gerner
Ozie & Ora Gibson
Hal Gibson
Kenneth ‘Gil’ Gilfeather
David & Donna Goodlett
Pete Gudger
Mark & Cheryl Gudger
Henry Hoffman
Jon & Nancy Troxel
Mary Ellen Ingersoll
Jim & Jan Sullivan
Gertrude Isaac
Gordon & Beth Isaac
Ralph & Sidney Johnson
Jim & Sharon Minter
Ron Kimble
Carl & Heather Craven
Al Lobb
John & Jody Fenlason
Marilyn Maddeford
Odell & Eileen Payseur
Jim Manning
Norman Gawron
Ron McClintock
Jack & Peggy McClintock
Sally Merritt
Bud & Trudy Forbes
Jack Michalek
Clark & Evalea Beck
Alex & Mary Mohandeson
Michael & Arlene Mohandeson
Patrick T. Nelson
Jack & Marion Sullivan
Helen Quist Ortmeyer
Robert Ortmeyer
Elwood & Ruth Ott
Lisl & Joe Helms
Judith Roush
Clio & Kathleen Thomas
Dick Shipe
Gary & Theresa Shipe
Louise Solemslie
Allen Solemslie
Glenn & Shirley Weed
Andy & Ramona McBeth
Mary Wooldridge
Holly Boone
Gwen Yansen
Jon & Nancy Troxel
Spring
By Ann Sakaguchi
According to the
calendar, spring arrived
on March 20 this year.
Some shelters in Seattle
are seasonal, and
historically, these winter
shelters close on March
31. About 250 men and
women would be tossed
out onto the streets.
Every year, when these
government-funded
shelters closed, it would
be total chaos, as
homeless people tried
to figure out how to stay alive. Conditions were horrible at Nightwatch every April and
May. There were too many sad and angry people to help.
So far this April, the average nightly low temperature has been 44 degrees. On certain
days this month, we’ve seen cold, wind, rain, hail, and a few snow flurries. Would you
like to camp outside under these conditions?
But, this year is different. The announcement was made, that winter shelters will
remain open until June 15!
It took hard work, many hours of discussion, compassionate shelter managers and
local officials paying attention in order for this to happen. The 250 homeless people
will stay inside until mid-June.
Nightwatch doesn’t get local government funding. We rely on donors like you, through
the entire year, to help us get people off the street. We served an average of 166
homeless people per night in 2012, providing them with food, shelter, and care. Every
night, all year.
It’s great that the City and County have extended their programs to mid-June.
Nightwatch will continue all summer, with your help. Can you help us? The needs are
critical, all year long.
Street Ministry | Emergency Shelter | Shelter Dispatch | Senior Housing | Food Program | Education & Advocacy
Boston Marathon
Pat Wyre
Margaret Callahan
Joybelle & Paul Eriks
Kathy Nelson
Sherianne Caldwell
Mike Potts
Catherine Fletcher
Eric Richardson
Harvey & Geri Nelson
Vern Swanson
Judy Rhinehart
Vernus Woodgate
George & Carolyn Rippee
Shopping List
Please help by collecting these
items for us to distribute to our
homeless friends and tenants
(travel sizes are preferred):
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Backpacks
Gloves
Deodorant
Lotion
Lip balm
Disposable razors
Shave cream
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Cough drops
Cold medicine
Pain relievers
Kleenex packs
Shampoo & Conditioner
Soap
Drink mix
For more information these
items please contact:
[email protected]
Shelter Dispatch Center &
Senior Apartments
302 14th Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98144
Contact us:
PO Box 21181
Seattle, WA 98111
206-323-4359
After 7pm 206-329-2099
[email protected]
www.seattlenightwatch.org
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