Warm by Christmas

I went for a run after eating Thanksgiving dinner this year, and, by the time I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about how incredibly thankful I was to have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in at night. My hands stung and my feet were numb from the bitter cold. I started to think about how blessed I was to be sheltered from our brutal Minnesota winters.

My run reminded me that not everyone is as lucky as I, and I began to wonder about those who may not have a place to stay this holiday season. Then I stumbled upon this article.

As a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan myself, it's disheartening to think that—among others—some of the men and women who have served our country are sleeping outside this December. So, I've decided to do what I can to help out. If nothing else, I'd like to raise some awareness of the challenge we're facing as a community and raise a few dollars that will be put to good use, in an effort to end homelessness.

I plan to brave the cold myself and sleep outside starting December 5. I'd like to invite you all to help me raise $5,000 by December 25, 2011, so that I might sleep inside Christmas evening and—more importantly—so that others can be brought in from off the streets. *We made it to $5,000, but let's keep going! I'm sleeping outside until Christmas, in hope that more people will help contribute to tackling this very real issue. Thank you for giving!

All of the money we raise will go to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. See below for their website.