EDITORIAL
The Lawrence Ledger would like to thank all who participated in our August drive to collect household items for HomeFront.
Through the kindness of our readers, a number of homeless families will have sheets, blankets, irons, pots and pans, essentially all they will need to set up a new home when they are ready. In addition to the efforts of our donors, we also would like to offer our thanks to those who agreed to host our five donation boxes throughout Lawrence: the Acme supermarket in the Lawrence Shopping Center on Route 1, the Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County Library System on Darrah Lane, Lawrence Township, the Sun National Bank branch located on the corner of Main Street and Gordon Avenue and the law firm of Stark & Stark.
The most extraordinary aspect of this drive has been the actual volume of items we have received in the way of donations. Every week for four weeks straight, just about every drop-off box was found to be as stuffed as a relative after a Thanksgiving meal.
Initially, we weren’t sure a charity drive during the dog days of August, when most people are either on vacation or caught up in other summertime pursuits, could be successful. But we wanted to fan the flames of charity during a time when most of us generally don’t think about it. We thought that as long as we achieved that goal, we would be happy. Nothing could have prepared us for the sight of those boxes, full week after week. And we are happy that the drive came at a time when HomeFront’s need was great.
In July, the group’s household item inventory had run alarmingly low, according to a letter from Executive Director Connie Mercer. Thanks to the drive, the group was able to keep up with the need in August.
In fact, as fast as donated blankets, linens and lamps came in the door, they headed out again to furnish a family’s new home, she said.
As we have said, this drive has helped to provide families who are on their way to establishing new homes with most of what they need to realize their plans.
But not everything. While the drive will ease the material concerns of homeless families in the area, it won’t eliminate the struggles that lie ahead for those families, or the emotional trauma that lies behind them.
Perhaps the sense of community and the spirit of giving, which have both been so exceptionally and unexpectedly strong at this time of year, will show homeless families that Lawrence truly cares about them. And maybe those feelings can help make the rest of their journey a little easier.

