Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Friday Heartache
Someone torched one of the Street Angels buses last night and it is a total loss.
We have two buses – the white one is larger and the blue one, relatively undamaged, is smaller. Both of them were out last night, driving routes in Milwaukee to places where people, known to be homeless, would be found.
It was in the single digits last night – really cold, even for Milwaukee – so the volunteers on the bus were busy handing out gloves and blankets and hot meals. This is what Street Angels does – summer, winter, spring, fall – it’s a year-round thing – give people what they need to survive. The urgency in the winter though can frighten even the hardiest volunteer. What situation will you find that you will not be able to fix? What person will you lay awake thinking about after your shift is done?
Even in the worst situations, the bus rolling up is a sign of hope. It says to a homeless friend – you’re important enough for us to come find you to make sure you eat and can stay warm tonight. That is powerful stuff right there.
Last night when I got word that the bus was on fire, I started right away to pull on my jeans although there was no reason for me to drive across town. I had nothing to contribute, no skill, no insight, but I knew I had to go to see this terrible thing myself.
Witness. That’s all it was. Be a witness. Maybe, in a weird way, thank the white bus for thousands of miles driven and hundreds of friends helped. Tell our devoted agency directors that I was sorry that this happened. Just witness. Show up.
I took these pictures. The white you see is foam that the fire department used to put out the fire. The burned-out parts of the bus are where rolled up socks and sweatpants and hoodies were stored. There were flashlight batteries that burned and toothpaste and razors and shoes with the size noted on the heel with masking tape. I know because I labeled some of them myself.
There was just a tremendous amount of heart on that bus.
We will get a new bus. It will take time. These buses are not easy to find and retrofit. And they are expensive. Hopefully, insurance will cover most of what is needed but we are accepting donations to cover what we expect will be a shortfall between what this bus was worth and what a replacement bus will cost.
Meanwhile, alternative strategies are being put into place – going back to the trunks of cars which is how Street Angels started seven years ago. In a lot of ways, the vehicle isn’t as important as what is done with the vehicle. Witness. Show up.
It’s simple and powerful and we’ll keep at it.
29 Comments on “Friday Heartache”
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I’m so sorry to hear about this.
It was such a shock. We are rebounding though – huge community support which was just so gratifying and healing. It’s going to be okay.
All the way from Africa, I send my love and big hugs and the biggest thank you in the world, for what you do. This is when I really want to say WTF? XXX
Sometimes I despair of humanity. Who could think this was something they could/should do?
Thank goodness for the other side of the coin: you and the others on the wonderful volunteer team, who got it all together in the first place. Heartbreaking. 🙁 Hope someone with money is reading you!
Yes. We have been amazed at the community support over the past two days. It’s been incredible.
Oh Jan, how could anyone do such a thing? That really grieves me.
I don’t know – it’s so puzzling. Hopefully, we’ll find out at some point but it’s still going to be baffling to me.
Maybe a wealthy angel will find you and donate the money. I hope so.
The outpouring of support has been incredible. We are stunned by the community’s generosity.
How devastating. I wonder what hallucinations led someone to attack your precious bus.
Oh, no! A lot of history and soul in that bus. Like your house burning down all over again.
It did feel a little like that when we went to see what was happened. The bus just hollowed out. Very distressing.
I can imagine. I hope the Street Angels are back on the road soon.
We will probably have to be on the road out of borrowed vans/cars but it will still work.
I am so sorry for your loss. I live half way round the world but my thoughts are with you.
Thank you
How horrible. I can’t believe that someone would do such an act. So so sorry.
We can’t believe it either. It’s horrible.
Do they have any idea who did it?
I’ve Googled it as well. Hope they catch the ones responsible. I read that the catalytic converter had been stolen in the past as well. Please let us know what happens.
what a horrible act of hate and violence
There is no sense when someone does something like this. I am so sorry.
Thank you
Terrible loss, Jan!
It truly is.
I’m so sorry. How do I donate?
Jan,
How do I donate $$$.
Please share as I’m sure many will support this effort.
I live in Texas, and will do my part for your mission.
That is so kind. You can donate on our website – there’s a donation button that takes you right to the donation site. It’s streetangelsmke.org. Thank you!
You can donate on our website streetangelsmke.org. Just your moral support is plenty, though.