Faith Groups Join To Help Homeless

Do not be surprised when you see a cardboard city built on the grounds of Deerfield’s First Presbyterian Church Saturday.

The structures will be part of SleepOut for Shelter organized by the church’s senior youth group at 7 p.m. Saturday to raise awareness for the homeless and money for PADS Lake County, an organization which provides assistance to those who are homeless and not self sufficient.

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All participants in the event will build cardboard shelters and create fleece blankets while children will be able to take part is awareness activities geared to youngsters. The event ends with an 8 p.m. prayer vigil.

The church became a major part of PADS in October when it opened its doors each Sunday as a homeless shelter preparing food and offering a place for those in need to spend the night.

Volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church are joined in the effort each Sunday by members of the Village Presbyterian Church of Northbrook, Deerfield United Methodist Church, Christ Church of Highland Park and Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim of Deerfield.

The local shelter is open from October through the end of April. In addition to the local faith groups, help comes from members of the United States Navy stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base.

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