Ninth Graders Bring Food, Clothing, and a Night of Caring to the Homeless

January 31 – RCS has been supporting Midnight Run for over 15 years, providing outreach to the homeless living on the streets of New York City. The volunteer organization coordinates over 1,000 relief missions with schools, churches, and other groups each year. Runs are an opportunity for volunteers to bring clothing, toiletries, and food to the homeless, and, perhaps more importantly, to meet and have meaningful conversations with some of the individuals they are serving.

Under the watchful eyes of ninth grade Dean Chris Perry, students held a clothing drive and collected food and other supplies to share with the people they would meet on the Midnight Run. In addition, they raised $588 with a jeans day and bake sale, which they put toward the expenses of their late-night Run.
 
Students also met with Midnight Run Executive Director Dale Williams – homeless himself in the late 1980s – to hear his story and ask questions.
 
“It was pretty impactful,” Mr. Perry said about the meeting with Dale Williams. “It was a sobering talk about the hardships of being without a home.”
 
To preserve the dignity of the men and women who are homeless, Midnight Run doesn’t allow photos to be taken during Runs. But we can share a few images of students preparing supplies and their reflections after their Run.
 
Reflections
 
“The Midnight Run humanizes people who are homeless. Some people had real jobs, and real lives that had been taken from them. We met a man who sang opera – and now he is homeless.” ~ Charlie
 
“Mr. Perry said it was all about recognizing the humanity…and it really was.” ~ Lila
 
“I think it changed a lot of people’s perspective. For me personally, it gave me a lot more sympathy. Going on the Run shows you that anyone can be homeless.” ~ Margo
 
“It makes you grateful for everything.” ~ Lila
 
“It makes you want to help the homeless more. As a team we worked really well together.” ~ Juliet
 
“In a way, the homeless are the same as everyone else.” ~ Margo
 
“It was really fun. I want to do it again. They were real people and a lot of them had real stories. I’d do it again definitely.” ~ Charlie
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439 Cantitoe Street 
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
Rippowam Cisqua School is a PreK-Grade 9 independent day school in Westchester County, New York. RCS offers challenging academics built on innovation, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, wellness, leadership, service learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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