PLEASE HEAR KARINA:
Karina answers the phone. “I’m obviously concerned,” she breathes into the phone. “This whole week we’ve heard that it’s supposed to snow. It has me worried.” Karina runs the Window of Kindness and sees firsthand how the needs among our unsheltered friends and neighbors become more acute as the temperatures drop. New faces, longer lines, and hectic service hours are all symptoms of the pandemic, and they are increasing. She knows our supplies are in demand and decreasing. At the window, life-saving supplies are given to neighbors living outside. People also come for conversation, a kind face, deep compassion, and someone who knows their name. Karina is all of these things, and she’s under pressure with winter’s harsh arrival.
“Somebody was recently hospitalized because of frostbite. Their toes were amputated.” There’s a pause again. “It’s going to happen even more in the weeks to come. It’s making me sad. We need more supplies. I feel helpless.” Now, it’s my turn to inhale.
“Seeing people freezing, barely able to move their hands, shivering out in the cold . . . it’s really impacting me. I see people suffering. It’s not that I hear people complaining. It’s just seeing it with my own eyes. No one has to say anything, I can tell from their faces.” Karina holds so many stories. “People are getting sick from the cold. Emotions have been intense this week. We lift spirits, but we haven’t had blankets. People are getting discouraged when we don’t have sleeping bags. It’s harder to say no and see their reactions.”
This, friends, is why we ask you to come closer. COVID limits proximity, but that hasn’t applied to the window, or to Karina. She’s been here, every week, throughout the entirety of the pandemic. Karina knows the look of suffering in someone's eyes when they smile, thank her, and turn to brave another cold night in frost-bitten Seattle. Now, we need you.
Our friends need sleeping bags, tents, tarps, blankets, and hand-warmers. Can you commit to sending something for next week? And maybe the week after? A steady stream of supplies will save lives. Drop off or mail to: 4001 9th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105. Thank you.
University District Neighborhood | Barron
A QUIET THOUGHT - If you’re moved by the goodness of this community, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/ and click on the ‘donate’ button and consider a “monthly recurring” donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU! #facinghomelessness #justsayhello #kindness #TheBLOCKProject #yesinmybackyard