There’s a woman who lives in the woods here in Federal Way, whom I met last month while volunteering with the Federal Way Community Caregiving Network. We were washing clothes for the homeless and others challenged with resources. This was the second event of its kind that the organization has put on, and whose mission is to help the homeless with basic needs.

The guests in need of these services tell heartbreaking stories. They talk about living in shelters, in their vehicles and in the woods. Last month, a woman named Margaret asked me to help her at her washing machine. She was washing an old comforter that had black spots of mold deep into the material. I was afraid there was nothing we could do to get them out. I can’t describe the deep sadness in her eyes, and the fear in her voice when she told me quietly, “This is all new to me. I don’t even have a sleeping bag.” She went on to explain that she was living in the woods.

The King County One Night Count that took place on Jan. 23 came up with a number 21 percent higher than last year county-wide. Volunteers across King County counted 3,772 men, woman and children sleeping outside. Kudos to the King County Homeless Coalition for taking this to Olympia last week, and sounding a gong 3,772 times for every soul (that we know of) in our county trying to survive outside in these extreme wet, cold and unsafe conditions. Homelessness must become a top priority. A community with people living without shelter is a community in crisis.

I’m sure you can imagine that I could not get Margaret out of my mind after meeting her last month. I was able to find a waterproof, below 30-degree sleeping bag and some warm clothes for her. I drove around looking for her for several weeks before I found her at a community supper recently. She looked healthy, and told me how desperately she needed a job. And yes, she explained, she is still living in the woods.

Sharry Edwards, Federal Way