🌱 Lakewood Youth Homelessness Awareness Sleep-Out + Local Car Thefts

Hey, everybody. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Lakewood Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with some sun. High: 43 Low: 36.

Business owners and marketers in Lakewood: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Lakewood:

1. A group of Lakewood youth and teens spent the night outside to raise money and bring awareness to Cleveland’s homeless problem in the 18th annual Homeless Awareness Sleep-Out at the Lakewood Congregational Church. Participants, ranging from 11 to 18-year-old, raised money from passersby on the sidewalks and corners from 5:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., then the youth sleep outside in makeshift shelters made from cardboard boxes. Homeless Awareness Sleep-Out co-chair Brad Humphreys said it was purposely done on a cold night to “bring a sense of empathy into our unhoused situation in Cleveland." The money raised by the youth will be donated to the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Y-Haven, Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, and St. Paul Community United Church of Christ Homeless Outreach Program. (News 5 Cleveland WEWS)
2. Lakewood police are investigating multiple car thefts that occurred this month. Incidents include a missing vehicle that was parked near the intersection of Adeline and Delaware Avenues on Feb. 6 and a vehicle missing for a rear parking lot on Coutant Avenue on Feb. 5. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
3. The Lakewood Police Department will not be enforcing the rush hour parking restrictions today, Feb. 20, in observance of the Presidents' Day holiday. The parking restrictions, usually Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., will resume tomorrow, Feb. 21. (Lakewood PD via Twitter)

Today in Lakewood:

• Girls Who Code Club: Code + Interactive Devices At Lakewood Library (6:00 PM)
• In-Person Just Baby ‘N Me At Lakewood Library (6:00 PM)
• Corporate Band Showcase At The Winchester (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Lakewood city offices are closed today, Feb. 20, in observance of the Presidents' Day holiday. (City of Lakewood via Twitter)
• The Friends of Lakewood Public Library have regular book sale hours from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Most books are 50 cents and magazines are 10 pennies. (Lakewood Public Library via Facebook)
• Looking for a new home or just curious about the local housing market? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Lakewood area, including a two-bedroom on Warren Road for $89,900! (Lakewood Patch)

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Featured events:

• History on Tap | A Celebration of Black Culture (February 23)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.