COUPLE COLLECTING COATS FOR HOMELESS.Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer When the clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped in Ventura County last month, Ken and Barbie Barbie in full Barbara Millicent Roberts A plastic doll, 11.5 in. (29 cm) tall, with the figure of an adult woman that was introduced in 1959 by Mattel, Inc., a southern California toy company. Heller hoped to help keep the county's homeless residents warm. Working with the Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by Winter Shelter, the Agoura couple kicked off the ``Have a Heart'' campaign, collecting dozens of coats, sleeping bags and blankets over the past 11 days. ``We wanted to do something to help, especially because the weather has been so terrible this winter,'' said Barbie Heller. Coordinated by Lutheran Social Services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales , the Conejo Valley Winter Shelter rotates among 25 local churches and synagogues A list of synagogues around the world. Contents: Top - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A
Since November, when the winter shelter opened, the 20-bed centers have scrambled to accommodate an average of about 35 homeless people and to provide dinner for 30 more. ``We've seen an increase in the number of homeless families with children using our shelter,'' said Karen Ingram, volunteer coordinator for the shelter program and vice president of Lutheran Social Services. ``It's always nice when people in the community contact us to help out,'' she said. ``Right now, for instance, our pantry at the homeless shelter Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people. Usually located in urban neighborhoods, they are similar to emergency shelters. The primary difference is that homeless shelters are usually open to anyone, without regard to the reason for need. is bare.'' Ingram said the shelter especially needs cots, sleeping bags and nonperishable foods. The Hellers hope to keep collecting through the weekend and to deliver donations to the shelter early next week. Their offices in the Coldwell Banker building in Westlake Village will continue to serve as a drop-off spot for donations. Will Hardy, owner of the Baskin Robbins in Westlake Village, offered to set up a second drop-off spot in his ice cream shop and will reward donors with coupons for free treats. ``It seemed like such a simple thing we could do to do some good in the community,'' said Hardy. The Hellers, a husband-and-wife real estate team in the Conejo Valley, said they hope to make ``Have a Heart'' an annual campaign, centered around Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. . ``We get so much out of this community that we want to give back,'' Barbie Heller said. Coats, blankets and sleeping bags can be dropped off through Sunday at the Hellers' offices in the Coldwell Banker building, 650 S. Westlake Boulevard, or at the Baskin Robbins, 2823 Agoura Road. Donations also can be dropped off at Lutheran Social Services, 80 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . For more information, call (805) 497-6207. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color in Verb 1. color in - add color to; "The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film" color, colorise, colorize, colour in, colourise, colourize, colour Conejo Edition only) Barbie and Ken Heller show some coats they have helped collect for the homeless. They are seeking more. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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