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Wayland Resident to Host Community-Wide Event for Homelessness January 13, 2006—Two Wayland neighbors will team up to raise money toward the fight against homelessness this February with a dinner and silent auction to be held on February 9, 2006 at the Sandy Burr Country Club. The event will tie Valentine’s Day in to the festivities, encouraging guests to get in the spirit of the season of love by bidding on auction items that will both raise funds for the cause, and, in many cases, make great Valentine’s Day gifts. All members of the community are invited to attend the event, which will be emceed by Wayland native Ted Wayman of CBS and television host of UPN’s The Morning Show. The event, titled “It’s All About Love,” is being put together by Wayland resident Esther Stacy to benefit Give Us Your Poor: Homelessness and the United States, a project to end homelessness by raising awareness and galvanizing the public to fight the problem. The project’s founder and Executive Director, John McGah, is Stacy’s neighbor. Together, they invite Wayland residents to share some of their love this Valentine’s season with the community and with others less fortunate. Guests will enjoy a variety of auction prizes ranging from the practical to the fantastic, including: signed sports memorabilia, home services, gourmet dinners, beauty and massage gift certificates, apparel, premier Celtics tickets, and a grand prize weeklong stay at a five-star hotel anywhere in the world. Several “romance” themed packages will be featured just in time for Valentine’s Day planning including a getaway at Boston Park Plaza. Stacy was inspired to host the event after hearing about her Wayland neighbor’s efforts, and learning more about the dire state of homelessness right here in Massachusetts and nationally. Wages in Massachusetts have failed to keep pace with rental costs and families are unable to pay for housing, food, child care, and health care; they are forced to decide which of these necessities they can afford. Today, there are more than 10,500 homeless families in Massachusetts; 20,000 of these family members are homeless children. For every ten household with extremely low incomes, there are only four affordable housing units that these families can actually afford. Across the United States, there are approximately 3.5 million homeless individuals; over 1 million of these individuals are children. Tickets can be purchased online for $15 (at www.bringingithome.org/wayland) or at the door for $20. # # # More info. About Give Us Your Poor: Homelessness in the United States # # # John McGah | |