Sleep On the Street, also known as SOS, is an event hosted to benefit a Bridge of Hope affiliate by raising money to help single parents that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless become self-sufficient (think Will Smith in Pursuit of Happyness). The event includes many elements that make it uniquely fun and entertaining for your entire community:
1. Free Food: Come enjoy a free meal. Of course, donations are welcome.
2. Free Live Entertainment: Local musicians set the tone with an eclectic mix of sounds.
3. Special Activities: The Graffiti Wall, hacky sack, frisbee, movie showings, and more, make this a fun event for everyone. Or just come people watch!
4. The Sleep Out: Sleep outside without a tent to really understand what it's like to be homeless and make a personal pledge to do your part to end the cycle.
5. Celebrity Homeless: Local dignitaries, politicians, clergy, businesspeople, and other socially conscious individuals all come to SOS! When celebrities reach a fundraising target of $500 by soliciting pledges from their friends and family, they are released from the street. Sponsor your favorite celeb online using a link below!
6. Sense of Community: SOS is open to anyone in peace and provides a fun, relaxing environment to catch up with old friends or meet new people. Each year the SOS location changes in order to reach all corners of the host community. Watch for an SOS in your community, or inquire as to how to execute SOS.
PAST PRESS FROM SOS
Lebanon Daily News (front page): “A group of people are sacking out downtown this weekend, sleeping on cardboard pallets to raise awareness of homeless families.”
La Vie Collegienne, Lebanon Valley College: …SOS featured several gospel performers and other musicians on Friday and Saturday. Sarah White, a senior at LVC, was one such performer. “It was fun… there were a lot of different groups of people…and everyone was in high spirits,” she said.
PennLive.com: “People will be sleeping on the streets of Annville this weekend—and fortunately not because they have to.”
The Patriot-News: “Group goes ‘homeless’ for funds”
