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News
River Run proceeds donated to Hesed House : News : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisRiver Run proceeds donated to Hesed House
| Official tells Montgomery Village Board more people
| by John Etheredge
| 1/17/2013
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Last fall 261 area residents of all ages signed up to participate in the village of Montgomery's 9th annual benefit 5K River Run and 3K Walk.
This past Monday evening, Village President Marilyn Michelini presented a $3,000 check-the proceeds from the event-to a representative from The Hesed House homeless shelter.
In accepting the check from Michelini, Mary Ensor, the shelter's division director of resources, thanked Michelini and the village board for their continued support, but said she wished she had better news for them concerning the shelter.
"I can tell you we are transitioning people out of homelessness faster than we ever have. We are doing good work and we are doing it smarter than we ever have," Ensor said. "But, sadly, the numbers are higher than when I was here last year. We still have new people at our door, newly homeless (people) every 10 and one-half hours. There is no end in sight."
Ensor said the village's donation will help the shelter meet the needs of over 220 homeless men, 50 to 60 women and 40 to 60 children now being served at facility at 659 South River Street in Aurora.
Ensor noted there hasn't been an empty sleeping mat in the shelter's men's sleeping quarters in over nine years.
Despite the increasing numbers of homeless people, Ensor said the shelter continues to help those in need improve their lives and find new homes.
For example, she said an addictions and alcohol counselor has helped significantly increase sobriety at the shelter and some of the children that they have housed have graduated from high school and gone onto college. Still others, she said, have had success finding jobs.
"Would it be easy to become frustrated? Yes. But we have to be proud that we are doing all of this together," Ensor said.
Noting village hall is just one-half mile away from the shelter, Ensor concluded, "When I was leaving to come here tonight I took my coat off the hook on my door and I looked out the window and saw hundreds of people lining up on this cold night to come in because our door is open at 7 o'clock. But as I walked down the hall past our transitional living community, I looked inside and saw about 30 kids putting out their mats to sleep for the night. One little guy, about 10 years-old, was being surprised with a birthday cake and the kids were singing 'Happy Birthday.' So I have to believe that all of us together and with your support, that Mom and those kids won't be here next year and we couldn't help them without you."
Lauren Stott, an administrative intern for the village who organized the River Run and Walk, told board members the event continues to enjoy strong participation.
She noted that of the 261 registered participants, the largest single age and gender group were women between the ages of 30-34.
In addition, Stott said a number of participants registered as members of teams sponsored by area businesses.
"We hope to increase team participation next year, too," she said.
Stott said the village remains grateful for the support of local businesses that donated gift cards for the winners, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Panera Bread and the Fox Valley Park District.
In addition, Stott said the village appreciates the several area businesses who served as sponsors: Caterpillar, Inc., Thomas Orthodontics of Oswego, The Lakeone Company, Engineering Enterprises, Inc., Kohl's, All Steel Credit Union, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Berglund Construction, Gusto Packing, Scott Eye Care, Ltd., Grotham Clinic of Chiropractic, Wal-Mart and Woodman's.
Stott said this year's River Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 and will mark the 10th anniversary of the event.
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