Group Health, Boy Scouts collect sleeping bags, tents for homeless in Federal Way

Published 5:00 am Monday, November 23, 2015

With more wet, rainy weather and the possibility of snow in the forecast for the coming winter months, individuals who find themselves homeless in Federal Way are grappling with the ability to stay warm and dry.

Sharry Edwards, a nurse at Group Health in Federal Way for more than 20 years and who last January made the Caregiver’s Network laundry program a once-a-month service to the homeless, is once again showing compassion for the less fortunate via putting forth a month-long donation drive through Nov. 30, to collect tents, tarps, sleeping bags and sleeping pads for the homeless.

“There are many reasons that people are homeless, but our place is not to judge that right now with winter quickly approaching,” Edwards said. “Some homeless live outside and some in their vehicles. People can find themselves homeless very quickly, and it’s important for any city to have emergency supplies such as these available to folks that might be in sudden need.”

Edwards’s idea to launch a month-long donation drive was inspired by her colleagues at Group Health who asked her how they could help the homeless more. After the Mirror’s June article about Edwards’s laundry event at Dash Point Laundry, Group Health’s management team contacted Edwards and asked if they could write a story about her volunteer work in Federal Way. The story was read by Group Health’s 8,000 statewide employees over a two-week span.

“I started getting messages right away about how the work I was doing was inspiring others,” Edwards explained. “Some of my co-workers in the Federal Way clinic asked me what they could do and what do the homeless need more than anything.”

Over the past several months, Edwards took that question to the homeless individuals attending the monthly laundry event and the weekly community suppers.

“Most responses were tents, tarps and sleeping bags,” Edwards said. “They explained to me that a tent is worthless without a good tarp or two.”

The homeless Edwards talked with also said having a two-person tent is best for one person, because it allows enough space for sleeping and storing belongings. Edwards said larger tarps are recommended.

“One homeless woman named Mary explained to me that she had two tents stolen in the last year,” Edwards said. “(Mary) said that she is really worried about going into this wet and cold winter, because last year the Multi-Service Center did not have a supply of these types of donations as they have had in the past.”

To enlist the help of Group Health and get her colleagues involved, Edwards has made the Group Health clinic in Federal Way as one of the drop-off locations for donated sleeping supplies.

Edwards said her 13-year-old son Simon, a Tenderfoot in Boy Scout Troop 336, has been a constant source of inspiration for her as she’s helped the homeless. Simon, she said, always wants to help in any way he can.

With that in mind, Edwards naturally approached Troop 336 Scout Master Guy Olsen if he and his Boy Scouts would like to partner on the donation drive. Right away, Olsen quickly took to the opportunity to serve the homeless.

“The theme for us over the last few months has been helping the homeless,” Olsen said. “In October, we served dinner to the homeless through Project Reach Out. (The donation drive) is a natural fit for us.

“We spend a lot of time camping,” Olsen added. “Our motto is ‘be prepared.’ People who are in that situation—they become experienced campers. They’re literally in a survival situation. Service for the scouts is what we’re called to do. Our slogan is ‘do a good turn daily.’ We keep our eyes peeled for these opportunities and the projects come to us.”

Olsen encouraged Edwards to add sleeping pads to the requested donation items. He explained to Edwards that it’s critical to keep the body at least two inches off the ground to stay warm.

“A tent is nice, but a sleeping pad will insulate you from the ground,” Olsen explained. “The ground will pull the heat right out of you. It’s just as important to have insulation under you, as over you. If you can stay dry, that’s like 70 percent of the job. The whole point is keeping your temperature at 98.6 degrees.”

Meanwhile, Simon Edwards is one of more than 20 boys in Troop 336, ranging in age from 10 to 17. He said it’s important for his Boy Scout troop to help the homeless, especially this time of year.

“They shouldn’t be in the woods this time of year,” Simon said. “I think they really need to have sleeping bags this time of year.”

Where to drop off donations

• Group Health, 301 S. 320th St.; contact Sharry Edwards at 253-315-1804

• Integrity Life Church, 2020 S. 314th St., 12:30-4 p.m. Sundays; contact Pastor Joe Bowman at 1-800-673-4795

• Christ Lutheran Church, 2501 S.W. 320th St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; contact Laura Olsen at 253-927-6969