Did all of my readers have a great Thanksgiving dinner? I sure did! My family and I spent Thanksgiving over our friend’s house and had lots (and lots) of great food and fun with our friends. There were six adults and six kids, a giant turkey and all the fixin’s, four pies and lots of noise. We had a great time and even had the chance to visit a nearby park after dinner.

At the local park the kids and we came across a man and his dog sleeping on the park bench. He stayed there for awhile and watched the kids play and the kids began trying to talk to him. My son asked him why he was sleeping on the bench and he replied that he “had eaten too much Thanksgiving turkey” and was “just taking a nap.” He left shortly thereafter.

This man is the fifth homeless person I’ve come across here in Virginia Beach. I know there are many, many more but I’ve honestly never lived somewhere where I’ve seen people sleeping on park benches and on the shady grass next to the local Burger King. It absolutely breaks my heart. I see two Vets (I’d assume) who are ‘living’ in the local park and hanging out by two fast food places nearby each and every day. They have bicycles and carry around all their belongings in little bike carts. They both have dogs who walk with them without even needing to be told. They are family.

I want to buy them a coffee and a hot meal. Bring them a blanket when it gets cold.

I want to learn more about what’s being done to help take care of the homeless here in Virginia Beach (and around the country). Will you help?

Here are some links to websites of local agencies that help the homeless:

Southeastern Virginia Food Banks
Seton Youth Shelters
Vet’s House Inc.

Ps. This entry is being cross-posted at both Atomic-Mama.com and JustSayOohRah.com because this is a crucially important message.