FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2008
San Diego Supports Rescue Mission’s Sleepless in San Diego
Nearly 1,000 Sleepers and 13 Sponsors Unite to Combat Homelessness
San Diego, CA, April 19, 2008 –In an outpouring of support for the homeless of San Diego, nearly 1,000 individuals will convene at Liberty Station for an exciting sleep out event to raise awareness of and funds to fight homelessness this Saturday night. The second annual San Diego Rescue Mission’s Sleepless in San Diego will be from 5:00 pm Saturday, April 19 to 7:00 am Sunday, April 20 at Liberty Station’s North Promenade on Historic Decatur Rd. at the corner of Dewey Rd. All of the funds raised will support the San Diego Rescue Mission’s comprehensive rehabilitation programs for the homeless and poor.
The anticipated 1,000 sleepers at the event will not only enjoy a night under the stars, but also a program hosted by Fox 6 News’ C.S. Keys with live entertainment and a feature film. Participants will also receive snacks and beverages, like hot chocolate, and breakfast on Sunday morning. Following the tradition of a walkathon, sleepers will be sponsored by friends and family, and will collect the funds to support the San Diego Rescue Mission’s many life saving programs for the homeless, addicted and poor.
The San Diego Rescue Mission is one of the largest comprehensive rehabilitation centers for the homeless in California, and is the only major homeless shelter in San Diego that does not accept government funding for its long-term rehabilitation programs. This year’s Sleepless event at Liberty Station is expected to be a major fundraiser to support the Mission’s ongoing programs.
Liberty Station, Co-Title sponsor and host of the event, is joined by fellow Co-Title sponsors The Martin Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation and Horizon Christian Fellowship North County. Other generous sponsors include Sempra Energy, Bank of America, SeaWorld, Pauma Casino, Friends of the Mission, Sudberry Properties, Indyme, Malin and Roberta Burnham, and Cox Communications.
Herb Johnson, President and CEO of the Rescue Mission says, “We are so pleased by the outpouring of support from San Diego for Sleepless. We believe that by participating in this event, San Diego is sending a message of hope—a message that they do care about homeless men, women, and children and that together we can work to end homelessness.”
Liberty Station Announced as Title Sponsor for “Sleepless in San Diego”
Liberty Station is a 361-acre community that includes 125 acres of parks, open space and a boat channel; shopping villages and restaurants; a 28-acre civic, arts and cultural district; the nine-hole Sail Ho Golf Club; three hotels on two sites; and six schools. Nearly 350 families now reside at the pedestrian-friendly Liberty Station and dozens of companies, with hundreds of employees, are doing business there. Winner of the 2007 Base Redevelopment Community of the Year Award, Liberty Station continues to receive accolades throughout the country for outstanding architectural and redevelopment design. For more information on Liberty Station visit: www.libertystation.com.
The San Diego Rescue Mission’s purpose is to rescue homeless men, women and children from the streets of San Diego and give them the tools needed to permanently overcome drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and other critical issues that led them to the streets in the first place. Focusing on long-term treatment, the Mission houses hundreds of men, women, and children and provides shelter, food, counseling, treatment, and work therapy. One of the largest privately funded programs in the county, the Mission is nationally recognized for its successful programs.
In addition to its long-term programs, each night up to 60 homeless women and children seek emergency shelter at the San Diego Rescue Mission. All told, the Mission services over 3,000 individuals and prepares over half a million meals annually. Since its inception in 1955, the San Diego Rescue Mission has relied solely on mail solicitations and corporate donations, rather than government funds, to run its programs. For more information on the San Diego Rescue Mission, visit: www.sdrescue.org. To make a donation or to register for Sleepless in San Diego, visit: www.SleeplessInSanDiego.org.
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