Signs Raise Hope for Homeless

Courtesy Holliston Winter Walk

This week, the Winter Walk team will pay homage to Bobby Blair’s work commemorating fallen soldiers. Over 15 years ago, Blair had the idea to raise awareness for the overseas troops by creating memorial posters to hang on telephone poles all around Holliston. The annual appearance of the signs causes passersby to stop for a moment and think about the incredible sacrifice made by these brave men and women. Every year, the signs have a significant impact, helping define the character of the town and its residents.

Blair’s work inspired Jamie Canavan, one of the student organizers of Winter Walk, to create a similar tribute to the walk’s success. The fundraiser donates 100% of its proceeds to HomeStart, Inc., an organization working to end homelessness in the Boston area. It will take place on March 4 at 1 p.m., beginning at the Congregational Church in Holliston. As the walk approaches, Canavan wanted to generate support and enthusiasm from the town by publicizing the difference it has made in the past.

"The project started off as just an idea. It took a lot of work, but in the end I think it's exactly what we needed,” says Canavan, “The people who see the signs get to read the stories of all the people we help and see what they're doing by supporting us. And that support is what Winter Walk is all about."

Each sign has one sentence about a specific client whose life was changed by HomeStart, such as “single mom of four lost house and husband to fire, finds home” and “Tufts student homeless after Dad’s death, re-housed and making Dad proud.” These touching stories show exactly what HomeStart is trying to do.

“So many times with the energy, excitement, and fun surrounding an event like Winter Walk, we forget why we walk,” says HomeStart’s development director, Anthony Guardia,  “These signs serve as a reminder that for every dollar raised, for every step of that 5 mile walk, because of those walkers - a family, a veteran, and so many more are now in a home and prospering. HomeStart can't thank Holliston enough, and we hope those signs remind them that what they are doing is helping so many.”

There is a stigma surrounding homeless people, that they are lazy or irresponsible. However, oftentimes they are normal people who suffer from an unfortunate series of problems or situations out of their control. They work hard to get back on their feet independently, but sometimes they need the support of an organization like HomeStart. This is why it is so important for Winter Walk and other fundraisers to succeed.

The eighth annual Winter Walk will begin at 1 p.m. on March 4 at the Holliston Congregational Church. To register and find more information, visit www.winterwalk.org. All the proceeds of the walk go directly to HomeStart, helping pay for items such as furniture, linens, and flatware for new homeowners. Any and all donations are much appreciated!