On the 2nd day of a DI Christmas
It Takes a Community!
And so it begins
There is an African proverb that states, “it takes a village to raise a child.” At the DI, we believe it takes a community to make this place of everyday miracles work in the thousands of ways it does every day of the year. And, now that we’re down from the roof, we know it takes an entire community to create an event like On the Roof. Off the Street.
On the Roof. Off the Street took place from 9 am Monday, December 5 to 9 am Thursday, December 8. During the event, two tents were erected on the roof of the old DI building and staff and volunteers slept out in the bitter cold of winter in an effort to raise funds and awareness around homelessness and the work we do here at the DI – but the planning began many months before the tents were erected on the roof.
From the inception of the idea by Dave Tod in the warm days of a prairie summer to the final moments of a frigid December morning when Dave Tod and his tent mate, Louise Gallagher awoke after their third consecutive night sleeping in the cold, many, many people made the 3 days, 3 nights of On the Roof. Off the Street happen. And while at times, it may have been cold and chilly on the roof for Dave and Louise and the guest campers, there was always the warmth of knowing, they were never alone. Supporting them, standing behind and with them was a host of amazing Calgarians and staff and volunteers who came out in all kinds of weather to support making On the Roof. Off the Street a success.
Happy Campers: Dave and Louise
Thank you!
You are the community it takes to raise a tent and keep it standing on the roof during 3 days and 3 nights of winter here at the DI.
You are the community that makes a difference by making the DI a place Where People Matter – no matter their condition, no matter the weather or the times.
Harold delivers a lantern
To our friends and supporters, and to everyone – thank you! You make the DI a place where miracles happen everyday – and we’re grateful for all that you do ever day and all you did to make On the Roof. Off the Streets three nights in December we’ll never forget!
The following is a list of people who went that extra mile to ensure On the Roof. Off the Streets went off without a glitch. We sure do appreciate all you did and all you do, every day of the year to make the DI work for everyone looking for a place to come in from the cold.
Alan Facey and Andy Lockhart look in
CAMPERS
- Board member – Heather K
- Jeremiah M
- Kym G
- Christy B
- Christa B
Jeremiah and Kym say Bye!
- Leah R
- Rufo C
- Jorge C
- Natalie R
- Bill M
- Janice S
- Nadine
- Dave T
- Louise G
VISITORS
- Debbie Newman
- Andy Lockhart
- Alan F & Zeus
- Cindy M
- Sharon M
Leah set to camp out
- Dr. Hurley
- Don
- Daniel P
- Kirtbir C
- Mark P
- John R
- Shad (bringer of late night cocoa)
- Denise R and family
- Genevieve
- Reg K
- Patrick D
- Isabel R
- CPS Staff Sgt. Adair
- CPS Sgt Hancott
HELPERS (suppliers of those vitals like tents and chairs and sleeping bags…)
- Mike (your tent made Plan B possible! Thanks.)
isabel, her pink longjohn's and John R
- Sophie C
- Jordan H (thanks for the name suggestion for the event)
- James and Ryan in the warehouse
- Glenn
- Dana S
- Rufo C (your tent withstood many days of cold and wind! Thank you)
SPECIAL THANKS! (set-up could not have happened without these folks and all they did before, during and after the event)
- Len, Harold and the maintenance crew – WOW! You guys definitely rock!
- Rufo
- Bruno
- Alex
- Alan F and Tom L – the fencing was a gift of safety. Thank you!
- Jorge C – your continuous support, grabbing lanterns, running errands, keeping everything on track was very welcome and most appreciated!
OUR SPONSORS! (your willingness to pitch in and provide essential supplies was very appreciated!)
- Calwest Printing
I see you!
- Campers Village
- Compact Rentals
- Carnivals at Heart
And to our MEDIA partners and to those who retweeted and tweeted and FaceBooked… thank you! Getting the word out was all because of you!
It took a community to make On the Roof. Off the Street happen – and we are so grateful you are part of our community.
Thank you everyone!
In the end, we raised almost $20,000 and a lot of hope that no one will be left out on the streets of Calgary, because truly, in this place Where People Matter, you make a difference that helps us bring everyone in from the cold.
It was my pleasure to help anyway I could. Your courage and willingness to try new and creative ways to bring awareness to our clients and the DI is an inspiration.