Elgin’s annual Winter Harvest for the Homeless will be held on Saturday January 30, 2016 at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn. The event starts at 5:30 PM and features dinner, silent auction, and a fabulous dance contest. The dance contest features six different teams including St. Edward’s very own, Chris and Leticia Jones who are team number three! Mr. Jones is the music director at St. Edward. Everyone can vote for them and donate to PADS at https://padsel.ejoinme.org/dance2016. Reservations can be made for the event by calling the PADS office at 847-608-9744. Students at St. Edward can help by donating $1.00 during all Theology classes, through January 29.

This is PADS’ most important annual fundraiser and helps them keep their doors open for the homeless during winter. Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) of Elgin, Inc. provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover Townships. The shelter is open seven days a week. Case management services are available Monday through Friday.

Here are some thoughts from Mr. Jones

JS: Why did you and your wife decide to enter the competition?

Mr. Jones: We were asked by Mrs. Schroeder to represent St. Ed’s in this charity event, and happily accepted to support both our school’s mission and to support PADS. Obviously, as a Catholics, we are called to help others. My wife and I saw this as a perfect opportunity to do our part in helping the less fortunate in our community along with the help and support of our families, friends, and the St. Edward community.

JS: What is Pads and why is it an important organization?

Mr. Jones: PADS is a local charity that helps the homeless in our community. They are hosting their big fundraiser, Winter Harvest for the Homeless at the end of this month, which my wife and I will be dancing in. This event is one of PAD’s largest fundraisers that helps fund all the aid they provide to the homeless in the surrounding community.

JS: Anything you would like to say to the school?

Mr. Jones: I would like to thank all of those who have donated and supported not only my wife and I, but the PAD’s charity as a whole. This is a great event for an important cause, and my wife and I are very honored and proud for having been a part of it.