Awareness & Advocacy Highlight A Night in the Cold
January 1, 2024
Happy 2024! Before we completely turn the page from 2023, we want to thank everyone who supported our 4th Annual A Night in the Cold (ANITC). We had over 1,850 donations, which made it possible to surpass last year’s total amount to raise $231,706!
What started as a rain-soaked evening on Friday, December 1st, turned into a clear night with even a touch of mildness in the air. And with that, our record number of 272 participants and 55 teams braved a night of sleeping in the damp cold to raise awareness and funds for our programs and services – vital resources that will help the ever-growing list of unsheltered individuals and families in Morris County.
Once again, our CEO Dan McGuire and Chief Development Officer Stephanie Cicale organized a group to sleep outside of our Wing Drive headquarters. The location served as a home base for the evening’s livestream broadcast and small gathering for invited guests such as ANITC participants Mt. Arlington Mayor Mike Stanzilis and Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Sheriff James Gannon and additional Morris County mayors including Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty. This gathering provided a forum for elected officials, staff and ANITC participants to speak about the struggles and hopes for funding for homeless programs such as ours. We also heard first account stories from St. Clare’s Health Director of EMS John Cronin and shelter guest Mike.
We’re so happy to report that Mike, with the steadfast support of the HSI case management team, successfully transitioned from the shelter to his own apartment last week!
According to Single Men Division Manager Osman Davies, “Mike learned essential life lessons in patience and perseverance throughout his time at HSI. By interacting with shelter staff and recognizing the positive impact of rules and structure at the shelter, Mike demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating a better life.”
We’re excited to see what the future holds for Mike as he continues along a path of progress and are grateful to you, our supporters, who help make life changes like Mike’s a reality for so many.