Compassion for Campers at Bethany Lutheran this Tuesday

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold its first monthly outdoor, warm weather distribution at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake from 3:30 to 5 pm. The distributions held monthly on the third Tuesday of each month through October will rotate between Bethany, St. Ann’s Episcopal in Woodstock, and First United Methodist Church in McHenry. St. Ann’s will host on June 22 and First Methodist on July 20.

The program has stocked up on seasonal supplies including insect repellent, sun screen, rain ponchos, and lighter socks and clothing.

“Meanwhile Compassion for Campers will continue to have some gear including tents, sleeping bags, mats, and stoves available at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock for walk in pick-up when the store is open,” according to Patrick Murfin, a volunteer coordinator, “making it easier to continuously meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors.”

Compassion for Campers is grateful to Bethany Lutheran, the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry, volunteers from Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, and Warp Corps for their invaluable ongoing support.

Contributions to support the program can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Compassion for Campers on the memo line. The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose. Tree of Life also donates all of the administrative expenses of the program.