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Events
 2009 Caldwell Park Encampment ProjectFundraiser & Awareness Aid For Friends would like to express their deep appreciation for the community’s efforts to make the 2009 Caldwell Park Encampment Project such a success. In spite of the bitterly cold weather this Aid For Friends’ fundraiser and awareness endeavor was a triumph for the Pocatello Community. Everyone’s hard work, dedication, and cooperation meant we were able to successfully shine the light on the tremendous need for our services in Southeast Idaho, especially during the cold winter months. We are very much aware that our fundraising and community awareness events would not be successful without the enthusiasm and support of people that care. Following a tradition that began with the faith communities and concerned citizens, the 3rd Annual Caldwell Park Encampment Project was held in support of homeless awareness and the services that Aid for Friends provides to our community. |
This special event was held at Caldwell Park in Pocatello. It started Friday evening, December 4, 2009 with construction of a Base Camp for publicity and training. The actual event commenced at 10:00 am Saturday, December 5, 2009 and ended at 10:00 am on Sunday, December 6, 2009.
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The Encampment events have proven to be successful both as fundraisers and as awareness raisers, and have resulted in greater community support. Participants raise money by soliciting tax-deductible pledges from individuals and businesses. |
Spending the night in a cardboard box impacts participants by increasing their understanding of what the homeless often endure, both physically and emotionally, especially in the harsh winter cold. Aid For Friends emerged as a response by local faith communities in Pocatello after the tragic death of young homeless man and another lost his foot to frostbite during the winter of 1983-1984 because no shelter services operated in Pocatello at that time. Continuing in the spirit of that response, families and individuals from concerned faith communities, civic groups and local organizations were asked to build shelters out of cardboard, newspapers and tarps similar to those the homeless would build and to lodge in their makeshift dwellings overnight. They in effect, constructed an “emergency camp” much likewhat is found under bridges in communities that do not have an agency like Aid For Friends to provide safe haven. |
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- Allan Priddy, who has taught survival classes at ISU for over 20 years, provided appropriate survival instructions.
A medical professional educated participants on personal health, safety and emergency preparedness. - Training was taught Friday evening, during lunch on Saturday, and later in the afternoon.
- Boy Scout Troop 315 served a “Soup Kitchen” dinner and breakfast was also offered Sunday morning.
- A zero-impact fire in a 55-gallon drum as a heat source kept participants warm.
- Evening musical entertainment at the First Presbyterian Church was enjoyed by everyone.
- Coffee, hot chocolate and cookies were served on site at the Salvation Army Canteen. All safety precautions were adhered to, with on-site fire extinguishers; portable toilets.
- American Legion Riders’ provided security personnel throughout the night.
- Food Drive was sponsored again this year by the Modern Woodmen of America
- Clothing Drive for hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, coats and new socks was sponsored by the Society of Friends (Quakers) and the ISU Student Democrats
Participants were trained on “How to Secure Pledges – it’s Easier than You Think” Please call Aid For Friends if you are interested in participating or wish to contribute to the Encampment 2010 Project.
More Information Coming Soon.
Summer Event
Fall Fundraiser
Chili Cookoff
Copyright © 2009 Aid For Friends, All Rights Reserved