St. Benedict’s Emergency Shelter for Men is nearing the end of its 2018 bed sponsorship program with 14 beds of the 200-bed goal still yet to be spoken for. While the program runs from Nov. 17 through Jan. 15, those wanting to claim the tax-deductible gift during 2018 need to do so by Dec. 31.
According to Executive Director Harry Pedigo, St. Benedict’s serves approximately 502 men a year. Prior to 2012, there were no fundraising opportunities to pay for the care of these men. The director at the time initiated bed sponsorships in order to have the money for necessary expenses such as groceries, personal grooming products, and bed linens.
Pedigo said the first year the campaign raised enough funds to sponsor between 30 and 40 beds. Over the last three to four years, he said they have “become a lot more than just an overnight shelter,” now offering three different transitional housing options. With the increase in housing options came an increase in support. Last year, the shelter was able to secure 115 bed sponsorships, which led to a goal of 200 for 2018, 186 of which have currently been funded.
“It’s been really eye-opening this year to see how much new support we’ve gained and how many new companies and non-profits have stepped up and gotten involved,” Pedigo said. “People hear $500, but really that cost is cheap when the national average to care for someone who is homeless is around $20,000.”
One of those supporters is Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brad Youngman who said he and Pedigo were part of the same 2018 Leadership Owensboro class. Youngman said he and his classmates took up a collection to sponsor a bed and dropped the money off personally to the shelter. According to Pedigo, the Owensboro Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police also donated funds out of their own pockets this year.
“Police officers like to help people. And because of what we do, we see the effects of homelessness and our hearts go out to these people,” Youngman said. “What St. Benedict’s does for the homeless in Owensboro is amazing. Anything we can do to help ends up helping everyone.”
While St. Benedict’s is thankful to have new organizations and individuals reaching out to help, there are some that have done it since the program’s inception.
In the fall of 2011, a homeless gentleman from New York found shelter at St. Benedict’s according to Doris Mills, manager of the Owensboro Duplicate Bridge Club. Not only did the gentleman find shelter, he also found his way from the shelter on West 7th Street to The Springs on East Parrish. Mills said he would travel the nearly three miles by bike in order to play bridge.
“He didn’t have a partner, so we found him partners,” Mills said. “He was a respectable partner and a good player.”
She said he continued playing with the bridge club until Christmas of that year when the weather became colder and it was more difficult to travel by bike.
During the Christmas season of 2012, the bridge club, who had not yet established a charity to support, decided to “pass the stocking” around to collect donations for their friend who had been a resident at St. Benedict’s. The club collected $270 that first year. After the bridge members went to the shelter and became acquainted with the director at the time they soon learned that the cost to sponsor one bed was $500.
Each year since, as the club has grown, so have the donations to St. Benedict’s bed sponsorship.
“Last year, we raised $3,000. This year we raised $4,000,” Mills said. “I was happily surprised.”
What started out as passing around a traditional Christmas stocking at the annual Christmas party, has now turned into a year-long event according to Mills. The bridge club plays 16 games a year with associated membership and tournament fees collected for these events. A portion of those monies is held in escrow to donate at the end of the year to St. Benedict’s.
“That’s the interesting thing about bridge club…It’s a nice community of people,” Mills said. “We just think about St. Benedict’s all year long.”
DONATIONS: While the last official day for the bed sponsorship campaign is Jan. 15, donations are accepted year-round. If you would like to sponsor a bed, please mail a check to St. Benedict’s Emergency Shelter for Men, 1001 West 7th Street and write “bed sponsor” in the memo section. Donations can also be made by clicking on the St. Benedict’s sponsor bed link on their website.
BRIDGE CLUB: For more information about the Owensboro Duplicate Bridge Club, contact Doris Mills at (270)929-6835. Bridge lessons for 2019 will be held at the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County beginning Jan. 14 and going through the end of April.
