The Problem in 2015
One year later, the challenge is every bit as formidable. On any given winter night, at least 3,800 people in King County sleep unsheltered, a 21% increase over 2014.
We can argue and debate homelessness, but that doesn’t help the person who is homeless tonight. We have to meet basic human needs first to have any hope of getting people back on their feet again.
-Redmond Mayor John Marchione on Sleepless in Seattle
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Table from the King County Coalition to End Homelessness's One Night Count.
The Sleepless in Seattle 2015 Plan
Short-Term Efforts: Sleeping Bags, Winter Care Packages & Volunteering at the "Big Give"
Sleepless in Seattle will be purchasing sleeping bags and winter care packages (containing warm socks/hat/gloves, food, and water) with funds raised from this campaign. We will need your help to get there.
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Winston Churchill
Curious what 3,500 sleeping bags looks like? Take a look.
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3,500 sleeping bags from 2014's Big Give at Serve Seattle. Sleepover anyone?
This year, we are shooting for 4,000 sleeping bags and 4,000 winter care packages with warm socks, gloves, hats, food, and water - all in a compact drawstring bag (see FAQ for why we are buying sleeping bags again this year). $25 will cover the cost of one sleeping bag, one winter care package with warm socks/hat/gloves. 100% of funds will go towards sleeping bags and care package supplies for the homeless in Seattle & King County.
Don't worry. We've done the math for you:
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1,000 * $100 = $100,000. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Alternatively... 1 * $100,000 = $100,000. Does anyone have Mr. Gates' number?
These sleeping bags and winter care packages will be distributed at our "Big Give" on Saturday 11/21 at University Christian Church (See 2014 Big Give). Over 200 volunteers, broken into 50 teams, will gather and then be dispersed across the streets of King County to serve those in need. Early registrants and donors will be given priority access to attend the Big Give as a volunteer. Please signup through this volunteer interest form if you would like to attend the Big Give.
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Sleepless in Seattle Volunteer Team at the 2014 Big Give. Look, they're smiling!
Long-Term Efforts: Neighborhood Teams
Sleepless in Seattle will be training and launching "neighborhood teams" following the Big Give on 11/21. These teams will be led by experienced leaders and will care for homeless people in specific neighborhoods (see map below) on an ongoing basis through direct personal contact on the streets.
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Neighborhood Teams Downtown Map
Nonprofits will receive leftover sleeping bags from the Big Give to meet the ongoing need in our community throughout the winter. A special out to Operation Sack Lunch who will be providing food for our care packages - thank you so much!
Corporate Partnerships
Louder Rewards - Louder Rewards is our 2015 lead financial sponsor. They have generously contributed $5,000 to the cause. Louder Rewards is a free iOS and Android app designed to help you earn gear for your favorite local sports teams (e.g. Seahawks, Mariners, etc.) for things you already do (e.g. read sporting news).
Canlis - Canlis will be giving away three $250 dinner-for-two gift certificates to three community heroes (excluding Sleepless in Seattle core team members) who are leading the fight against homelessness in King County as nominated and voted on by you. Please submit your nominee through this short form.
Relief Bed/Thermarest - Relief Bed will be providing at least 200 of their proprietary "relief beds" (self-inflating, durable, portable foam mattresses) to be given away in conjunction with the sleeping bags at the Big Give. Thermarest produces the foam behind Relief Bed's goods and will be providing the foam in-kind.
Exxel - Exxel, a US based sleeping bag manufacturer and distributor, will be providing discounted sleeping bags for the Big Give.
Image Source - Image Source will be providing discounted, reusable drawstring bags for the winter care packages.
Simplicity Decor - Simplicity Decor offers "east meets west" home design and decor elements. 15% of proceeds for everything sold at their annual Holiday Open House in Kirkland on Saturday 11/14 will go to Sleepless in Seattle.
PinkaBella Cupcakes - Pinkabella will be providing financial support and cupcakes for volunteers at the Big Give on 11/21.
Greater Good - Greater Good will be providing indirect financial support through their cause-related network of websites.
Point B - Point B is a leading regional management consulting company. They will be providing financial support.
Columbia Sportswear - Columbia will be providing 300 warm beanies.
Stories from Sleepless in Seattle 2014
Thousands of stories came out of Sleepless in Seattle's 2014 Big Give when 220 volunteers met 2,300 people on the streets with simple acts of kindness. Here are just three snapshot stories:
The One with the Red Gloves
-Kim (volunteer from Sleepless in Seattle Big Give 2014)
"I experienced a few moments towards the end of our mission that will be forever in my mind and heart. We saw several homeless men sleeping on the ground under an overpass in Pioneer Square and we pulled over to offer sleeping bags and a caring word.
I woke someone covered head to toe in blankets. The face that peeked out was that of an elderly gentleman who appeared to me to be in his eighties. He gave me a sleepy smile and nodded that he would like the sleeping bag I offered. I asked if we could open it and cover him with it and he nodded again. He then nodded towards a red hat and gloves that a prior Good Samaritan had left. I asked if I could help him put them on, and he said no that they were for me... I tried several times to politely decline and he implored me to take them as his Christmas gift to me."
The One with the Joy Ride Home
-Dianna (volunteer from Sleepless in Seattle Big Give 2014)
"My most impactful experience was the trip back from South Seattle (where I was distributing sleeping bags) to Wallingford (where I live). We handed out 50 sleeping bags ourselves and felt like we reached most of the homeless in White Center. On my way back home, I passed through Central Downtown and every homeless person I saw had a sleeping bag. Later, when I went to the grocery story in Wallingford, the homeless folks outside also had the sleeping bags. It was awesome seeing how thoroughly a community could bring change to a region as large as Seattle in a single day."
The One with the One
-Eddie Wang (Co-Organizer of Sleepless in Seattle)
During the Big Give, one of my privileges was greeting volunteers who were returning from the streets. I remember encountering one team who had just come back from Redmond. I asked them how many people they had been able to serve on their trip (teams that had been going to downtown had often served 50-100). The team replied that after crossing the 520 toll and roaming Redmond for hours, they found one young man outside the Redmond library that they were able to meet with a sleeping bag and a friendly conversation. They concluded this with the statement: "And it was all worth it."
Perhaps more than any other story, this vignette captures the heart of Sleepless in Seattle. Countless hours had been poured into planning every aspect of fundraising, logistics, and direct contact work - all to bless one person with the simple gift of warmth and friendship. Call it the "Saving Private Ryan" effect or call it a miracle, but whatever "it" is, I truly believe we need more of "it" in our community.
FAQ
Do people who are homeless need sleeping bags?
Yes. The Sleepless in Seattle team has reached out to over a dozen local nonprofits who work with homeless populations to assess the need. These nonprofits have responded with an assessment of significant need with one nonprofit estimating that 80% of the homeless on the streets do not have access to sleeping bags.
"The unfortunate reality is that we do not have the capacity to house all of the homeless youth in our community. Having resources, like sleeping bags, is critical to helping them survive the night and helps us start the conversation forward to get them off the streets."
-Melinda Giovengo, PhD, Executive Director of Youth Care
We need the whole community engaged to solve homelessness. The Sleepless in Seattle effort is a compassionate way for people to help others stay warm, and to raise awareness for the need for more homes for the homeless.
Mark Putnam - Executive Director of All Home King County (formerly the King County Committee to end Homelessness)
Is Sleepless in Seattle an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
Yes. The Sleepless in Seattle team has partnered with Urban Hands, an existing Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit which provides meal partnership and second chance job opportunities in the Seattle area. This unique relationship affords the Sleepless in Seattle team the advantages of legal recognition as a nonprofit while greatly reducing all administrative costs.
Can I give by check?
Yes. If you would prefer to bypass the Indiegogo fundraising tool, please mail a check to "Sleepless in Seattle - 8420 Greenwood Ave N. Seattle WA 98103" paid to the order of "Urban Hands" with memo "Sleepless in Seattle."
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Donors can expect to receive an email from payment processor FirstGiving with a tax-deductible receipt from the nonprofit Urban Hands.
Where exactly is the money going?
The money is going directly to the purchase of sleeping bags and winter care packages. Everyone serving on this project is serving in a volunteer capacity. The minimal administrative costs to cover accounting operations are covered out-of-pocket by the Sleepless in Seattle team.
What happened to last year's sleeping bags?
1) The One Night count reported at 21% increase in homelessness in King County between 2014 and 2015 meaning many of those currently on the streets have never received a sleeping bag.
2) The homeless population tends to be very transient. A significant portion of homeless persons in King County have entered the region while others have left.
3) Many sleeping bags will not be able to last a full year when faced with the challenging conditions of everyday use on the streets. General street abrasion, water damage, and theft all contribute to challenges in long-term use.
4) Housing a homeless person in emergency shelter often costs $20/day or more. Every option has a cost. Sleeping bags will not end homelessness, but they will help bridge the gap for those who simply need a blanket for the winter.
If sleeping bags won't last a full year, then why do the campaign at all?
Food and shelter are basic necessities that we believe every individual is entitled to. Everyday, thousands of free meals are served across King County. These meals cost money. Likewise, caring for the shelter-oriented needs of individuals costs money. As the King County's homeless shelters do not have adequate space to take in every homeless person, the Sleepless in Seattle team is committed to bridging the gap. We truly believe that $100,000 is a bargain to keep every homeless person in King County warm for the winter.
What specific sleeping bags & winter care package goods will be purchased?
The sleeping bags will be purchased in bulk from American-manufacturer Exxel Outdoors. The specific sleeping bags are mummy-style and rated to +5F. Winter care package socks, gloves, and hat will be purchased from Dollar Days. Each care package will come in a reusable drawstring cinch backpack. The $25 will cover the cost of a sleeping bag, a winter care package essentials, a draw string bag, and per-unit shipping costs.
Is Sleepless in Seattle religiously affiliated?
Sleepless in Seattle was founded on the life example and teachings of Jesus to love others. We are committed to partnering with anyone with a desire to help others and are committed to serving every person we meet to the highest degree possible.
Why can't those who are homeless help themselves?
Homelessness is a complex issue with interrelated causes including addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, job loss and unemployment, foreclosure, relational brokenness, etc.
No one ever got to be President of the United States or CEO of a Fortune 500 company without a little help along the way. The same is true of those who are working their way off the streets. Judgment is the duty of the courts. Compassion is the duty of everyday citizens.
Questions & Contact
To get in contact with the Sleepless in Seattle team, please email us at sleeplessinseattlegiving@gmail.com.
Spread the Word
Here are some suggestions to rally your community:
- Share the Indiegogo campaign link over social media and email. Be sure to use the #sleeplessinseattle hashtag.
- Connect with Sleepless in Seattle on Facebook and Twitter.
- Invite your friends to volunteer with us.
Press
Press from Sleepless in Seattle 2015
KING 5 - 'Sleepless in Seattle' works to give sleeping bags to homeless.
My Northwest - Why give sleeping bags when urban camping is such a problem?
Press from Sleepless in Seattle 2014
Seattle Times - Showing Seattle's homeless a little warmth
KING 5 / Evening Magazine (TV show) - Seattle man launches campaign to give homeless sleeping bags
KOMO News (Seattle Refined) - Sleepless in Seattle: The movement not the movie
KOMO 1000 AM - 4 Minute Interview
Mercer Island Reporter - A Warm Place to Sleep
Bellevue Reporter - Group hopes to provide warmer nights for King County homeless
Redmond Reporter - Redmond native Wang's Sleepless in Seattle project helps homeless population
NW Asian Weekly - COMMENTARY: Sleepless in Seattle – the city gives back (and bags)