From Grief to Action The death of a local man’s homeless friend compels him to start a blanket and jacket drive
When tragedy hits, it becomes hard to do even the most basic, everyday things, such as driving to work and doing household chores. It’s even harder to confront the cause of the tragedy and to do what you can to keep it from happening again—but it’s not impossible.
“It was really his ability to play the piano that really stirred my interest,” said Joe Lopez, a homeless center volunteer and a resident of Santa Clarita. He was recalling his recently deceased friend, Gene Becker.
On January 17, Gene went to retrieve a blanket at New Friends Homeless Center in Encino. But before he could take one, the center ran out. That cold night, he fell asleep on a park bench. He never woke up.
Months before, Gene asked Joe to film him playing the piano, hoping that someone would see his talents and hire him. Joe complied and put the video on Facebook. The night Gene died, he and Joe had a final conversation.
“He asked me that night if we had any blankets … he also told me how happy he was about the amount of views his video had.”
But in spite of his grief, Joe took action. He began by handing out blankets and jackets from the back of his truck, and it wasn’t long before the community joined him.
As for what the community can do to help, The Attraction Services Company, where Joe is employed, allows residents to drop off their extra blankets, jackets and sleeping bags during normal business hours. Their address is 25625 Hercules Street, Santa Clarita. Joe emphasized that those wishing to help also can donate these items to their local shelter.
The collected jackets are then sent to Bridge to Home, Santa Clarita’s winter homeless shelter. For those who want to donate directly to the Santa Clarita Emergency Winter Shelter, their address is 23031 Drayton Street. Bridge to Home’s client services center and administrative offices, The Bridge, is located at 23752 Newhall Ave.
Joe is hopeful that Gene’s death, while tragic, will inspire those in the community to see the homeless population and the dangers they face in a new light.
“I don’t think they understood until Gene’s story got out there just how dangerous it is for the homeless to sleep out in these elements.”
Those willing to further assist Joe Lopez in his blanket and jacket drive can email him at Jlopez@attractionservices.com.
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