With your help, we raised enough funds to purchase and distribute 3,500 sleeping bags to the homeless across King County. And we're back with: Sleepless in Seattle 2015.
As Seen On
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Press links at bottom of page.
In Partnership With
Corporate Partnerships:
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MM Comfort Systems has made a generous contribution to further their commitment to keeping those on and off the streets warm for the winter. " MM Comfort System will also provide one free furnace to a randomly selected Sleepless in Seattle donor at the end of the campaign!
Exxel Outdoors is providing over 2,000 deeply-discounted sleeping bags, covering the freight costs from Alabama to Seattle, and donating additional sleeping bags.
Columbia Sportswear has donated 200 warm beanies to be distributed alongside sleeping bags.
PinkaBella Cupcakes will be donating a cupcake with every sleeping bag on the "Big Give" to the homeless throughout our community.
Non-Profit Partnerships:
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Partners will receive sleeping bags to be distributed through their facilities.
Sleepless in Seattle is proud to partner with a host of non-profits, companies, and civic groups in our area. If you would like to partner with us, please email us at give@sleeplessinseattle.org.
Vision
A Seattle and King County where every homeless individual
has a warm sleeping bag to get them through the winter and beyond.
Problem
On any given winter night, at least 3,100 people in King County
sleep directly on the streets bearing with temperatures in the 20s and 30s. This year, let’s do something about it.
Solution
Pool resources as a city to purchase & donate sleeping
bags to be distributed through key non-profit partnerships and volunteer groups.
Origins
Sleepless in Seattle is the brainchild of a few Seattleites who simply asked the question, "how can we care for our community?" People from every socioeconomic, religious, and cultural background are invited to participate in this movement.
While Sleepless in Seattle is not exclusively affiliated with any one organization, donations will be processed through an existing 501(c)(3) non-profit Urban Hands which provides donated meals around the Seattle area.
The Impact
Do people who are homeless need sleeping bags?
Yes. The Sleepless in Seattle team has reached out to over a dozen local non-profits who work with homeless populations to assess the need. These non-profits have responded with an assessment of significant need with one non-profit estimating that 80% of the homeless on the streets do not have access to sleeping bags.
Seattle has more homeless folks than shelters. Sleeping outside is the only option for some, meaning that a sleeping bag is a life-changing gift. The gift of sleep is the single most important way to communicate you care.
-Kristine Cunningham, Executive Director of ROOTS Young Adult Homeless Shelter
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 starts the conversation with staff help move young people forward and off the streets.
-Melinda Giovengo, PhD, Executive Director of Youth Care
How You Can Help
Donate to Sleepless in Seattle
100% of funds will be used to purchase sleeping bags for the homeless in Seattle & King County. Crowdsourcing and credit card transaction costs, will be covered by generous supporters. All Sleepless in Seattle coordinating efforts are purely volunteer-based.
$10,000 = 500 sleeping bags
$50,000 = 2,500 sleeping bags
$75,000 = 3,750 sleeping bags - enough to cover the homeless population in King County
How will funds be used?
Collected funds will be used to purchase sleeping bags in bulk from online wholesale distributors. Sleeping bags of
varying styles and sizes will be purchased at a price range in order to
accommodate varying needs. Some prefer warmer, larger bags while others prefer
smaller bags that can be carried and concealed easily in a backpack.
What's in it for me?
For once, let's do something, simply because it's something worth doing.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Donors can expect to receive an email from payment processor FirstGiving with a tax-deductible receipt from the non-profit Urban Hands. Urban Hands is a local non-profit committed to providing meals to homeless individuals. They have volunteered to serve as the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity through which Sleepless in Seattle funds will be transferred.
Distribute Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags
will be distributed through two channels:
1) A "Big Give" distribution day will take place on Saturday December 13th, 2014 3pm-9:30pm. 200 volunteers from around the county will gather in Capitol Hill. Exact address will be emailed to volunteers who signup below.
All volunteers will go through street sensitivity training before being broken into teams of four to distribute sleeping bags around the county. Individuals who donate will be given priority access to attend this event.
Leader Registration: If you are 18 years of age or older, have experience serving the homeless, are comfortable leading a team of four, and are willing to commit to serving on 12/13, please RSVP through this link.
General Volunteer Registration: If you are a high school student or older, and are willing to commit to serving on 12/13, please RSVP through this link.
2) Remaining sleeping bags will be given to leading non-profits in King County specializing in work with the homeless and marginalized to be distributed throughout the community.
Donate Sleeping Bags
Gently used sleeping bags can be donated to any of the following locations around King County. Please see this spreadsheet as a reference for hours of operation.
An ideal sleeping bag would:
1) Have no natural fibers (helps with rain)
2) Have no bright colors
3) Be rated 20 or 30 degree bags
4) Be easy to pack and carry
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Spread the Word
You are personally invited to join the Sleepless in Seattle team and help end sleepless nights in Seattle. 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.
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Connect with Sleepless in Seattle on Facebook and Twitter.
- Lead a showing of the Sleepless in Seattle video.
- Take advantage of printable & digital marketing resources.
To get in contact with the Sleepless in Seattle team, please email give@sleeplessinseattle.org.
1. Sleeping Bag Procurement Challenges
Due to the volume of sleeping bags Sleepless in Seattle intends on purchasing, there is a risk that some sleeping bag purchases could be delayed if distributors do not have adequate inventory.
2. Misuse of Sleeping Bags
We expect a small portion of recipients to misuse or lose their sleeping bags. However, we believe the potential misuse of a few individuals should not discredit the opportunity to serve the many.
Questions & Contact
