Shelter, outreach making a difference

Fundraisers aid nonprofits that help homeless near Capitol.

Four years ago, when Katie Bashor picked up her mother at the airport, she was struggling to get her mother, who was in a wheelchair, her bags and a walker out the door.

At the same time, a Transportation Safety Administration agent offered her help, and confidently told her, “Anything for you, Katie.” Surprised, Bashor asked how the agent knew her name, and he told her that he stayed and received assistance at the Central Night Shelter almost eight years ago, where Bashor volunteers as a director.

“I couldn’t even recognize him!” said Bashor. “He has a job, a place to live, and is doing well. When you hear stories such as this, you feel good to know that the community’s work is making a difference.”

On Saturday, the Hands Around the Hill 5K raised more than $9,000 to help Central Night Shelter and Central Outreach and Advocacy Center combat homelessness around Capitol Hill.

“Hands Around the Hill started as a way to help organizations in this area which are in immediate need,” said Jackie Stephenson, the nonprofit’s secretary. “All the funds that are raised through [Hands on the Hill’s] various benefits go toward outreach programs that help the homeless population and neighborhoods on Capitol Hill.”

There are about 22,000 homeless people in Atlanta, with the highest concentration downtown. At the same time, there are only 3,000 shelter beds.

The winter emergency shelter helps about 100 men between November and March and provides medical care, foot clinics and hot meals. Yearly, the outreach and advocacy center helps close to 8,000 homeless individuals and families with resources such as job training, literacy training, permanent housing and more.

Central Night Shelter and Central Outreach and Advocacy Center are staffed completely by volunteers. The organizations rely on people to cook meals, donate essential items or spend time at the shelter.

Hands Around the Hill, also completely volunteer-based, hopes people get involved to organize and host fundraisers, be active on the board and spread the mission to help the area around Capitol Hill.

“It does become our responsibility to take care of our community,” added Bashor, an elementary school teacher. “When you invest in your community, you can make a positive impact.”

To volunteer with Hands Around the Hill, Central Night Shelter or Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, visit www.handsaroundthehill.com, www.centralshelter.org and www.central outreachandadvocacy.org.

In other news: The first Eats and Beats event held May 7 at the Buckhead Theater raised over $20,000 for Children of Conservation. The nonprofit works to protect endangered animals and provide scholarships for wildlife sanctuary workers’ children. Each Tuesday, we write about the prior week’s charity events such as fun runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event for us to cover, contact Devika Rao at doing.goodAJC@gmail.com.