ruthless winter to come: sleeping in ice & snow

Every year, the media and the local government advise that the elderly and children be protected from the cold. They also offer hot-line phone numbers for people to complain if they've got no heat and/or hot water. Of course, there's also the worry of the homeless -- those who sleeping in the cold streets out of no other choice. Shelters are offered as an alternative, which of course can only hold a certain number of people leaving many in the cold. In all, winter in NYC can be brutal and ruthless especially if you're cold with your body heat dropping by the minute and getting numb.

I'm listing some organizations if you care to help or need help.

• Coalition for the Homeless
  http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/
• NYC Department of Homeless Services
  http://www.nyc.gov/html/dhs/html/home/home.shtml
• New York Homeless Shelters
  http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/newyork.html

What I just wrote above is absolutely nothing unless you've lived through this. Do something. At least, support whatever outreach ministry your church offers. Said the latter, if your church doesn't have outreach programs, find another church.

volunteering

This means to give something of oneself to the benefit of another. Within this concept, we can give our time and effort to help others or for society (public goods and services). Within the boundaries of a church, to volunteer means helping in church activities, some of which help other individuals. At FAPC, the latter includes (but not limited to) a twelve-bed men-only homeless shelter, helping these folks get back on their feet and a meals program (similar to meal on wheels). I've volunteered in two of these services because something tells me to do so, not planning or thinking about when agreeing to help out. It's weird that I give my time for this having been cataloged as a selfish asshole much too often. Then again I also volunteer for my local and union.