Charitable Giving: Willis Dady Prevention & Shelter
TrueNorth begins our 2016 year of charitable giving partnering with the Willis Dady Prevention & Shelter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
About the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter:
According to their website, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter (WDES) has two primary objectives: to prevent homelessness for those at risk, and to re-house those who currently find themselves homeless. Willis Dady serves single men and families in need of their services by providing shelter, case management, resource referrals, and basic living necessities.
Some facts about the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter:
- The shelter first opened their doors in 1987 as a day program for homeless men. In its nearly 30 years of operation, it has served thousands of homeless single men and families.
- Willis Dady works closely with Operation Home to serve homeless veterans. In1991, WDES became a United Way Partner Agency.
- The shelter's founder, Jim Welborn spent 25 years on the streets himself, struggling with alcohol addiction. After seeking help and counseling for his illness, Welborn earned his degree in social work and helped to found the shelter as part of his senior project.
- Willis Dady, the shelter's namesake, jumped into the Des Moines River in an effort to save a young boy and both lives were lost. The founders of the shelter were so moved by Dady's selfless act that they decided to name the shelter in his honor.
How TrueNorth Plans to Help:
- From January 11th - 29th, TrueNorth's headquarters will be hosting a supply drive for the Willis Dady shelter. Our aim is to replinish the shelter with resources for both the shelter's clients and their administration.
- We'll continue our fundraising efforts by hosting a building-wide bake sale on January 13th. This month's bake sale will be sponsored by TrueChoices and Truckers Service Association (TSA) and all proceeds will be donated to the WDES.
- As always, you can count on seeing the TrueNorth team sporting denim the last Wednesday in January, as the office will be partaking in our "Casual for a Cause" day. All proceeds collected from denim-wearing employees will benefit the Willis Dady Prevention & Shelter cause.
How You Can Help:
There are many ways that you can contribute to your local homeless shelter. You can find a comprehensive list list of homeless shelters throughout the United States at www.shelterlistings.org:
- Donate resources: necessary supplies for homeless shelters to operate smoothly year-round often vary based on the season and needs of the shelter's patrons. A current list of resources is available on the Willis Dady website. If you would like to donate any of the items listed, the shelter requests you first contact them to verify the item and its quantity.
- Volunteer: Willis Dady has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, but they are most in need of overnight volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering and would like to inquire about current needs, you can contact the shelter here.
- Donate Financially: grants help provide for the shelter's operational budget, but these valuable resources are shared with myriad non-profits throughout the Cedar Rapids area. Direct donations allow the shelter to expand their services and reach individuals and families in need. If you would like to provide a monetary contribution to Willis Dady, you can easily do so here.
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