Event Details

Join Advantage Health Centers to help bring awareness to the problem of homelessness and remember those who paid the ultimate price.

The Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Service serves to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to end homelessness. AHC has partnered with the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan to hold the service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on the winter solstice, December 21st at 1pm, which marks the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. At the Memorial service, we hear from various speakers from around the community, recite the names of those homeless who have passed away over the past year, and light candles in their honor. After the service, volunteers from around the community serve a hot meal that will be provided by the Dorsey Culinary Academy, and distribute donated warming gifts and hygiene kits to all that attend.

Donation Information:

We are also looking for donations of new warming items to distribute at the event. Donors can purchase new items, donate money for the purchase of new items, or hold clothing drives at their respective organizations. We currently have enough hats, gloves, socks, and hygiene supplies but warming items that we are in need of include:

• Winter Jackets (small, medium, large, XL)

• Hats

• Scarves

• Sweaters/Sweat Shirts

• Blankets

• Thermal Sets

• Hygiene Kits

Donations can be dropped off at the Thea Bowman Community Health Center (15400 West McNichols Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48235). If you choose to mail your donation, please send to:

Advantage Health Centers

Attn. Daniel Zemke

2015 National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Service

15400 West McNichols Avenue

Detroit, MI 48235

Volunteer Information

We are looking for volunteers to assist on the day of the service, December 21st, 2016, from 10am-3pm. Volunteers can opt to serve in 2.5 hour shifts from 10am-12:30pm and 12:30pm-3pm or serve the entire 5 hours. Volunteer work includes:

• Set-up of the tables, table cloths, and chairs

• Carrying of the warming items from the cathedral storage room to the cathedral hall

• Organization of warming items

• Watching over the warming items during the service

• The serving of food

• The distribution of the warming items

• Re-boxing the remaining warming items (if any) and carrying to the Waller Health and Dental Center across the street

• Cleaning up the hall and putting away the tables and chairs.

Registration/Contact Information:

To register for volunteer opportunities, coordinate a donation, or any other questions/concerns/ requests can be directed to the Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Daniel Zemke. His contact is as follows:

Email: dzemke@advantagehealthcenters.org

Work Phone: 313-835-5990 ext:1014