Back in 2009 a 50 year old farmer and retired contractor (Don Primrose) became an advocate ( and hero) of six homeless men living in the woods behind a local shopping center here in Keene NH, where I have recently moved.
The men built a shack to shelter themselves from the sub-zero temperatures of a brutal New England winter. It didn't take long for the city to find out about the men's woodland shelter.
Did the people calling themselves "The City of Keene" try to help these men? NO! They sent an inspector (city gestapo) to tell these "impoverished unfortunates" that they needed to tear down their cold weather shack because it wasn't up to fire code. And why do fire codes exist? For your safety? And shouldn't people be allowed to take risks as long as its not harming anyone else?
Did the people calling themselves "The City of Keene" try to help these men? NO! They sent an inspector (city gestapo) to tell these "impoverished unfortunates" that they needed to tear down their cold weather shack because it wasn't up to fire code. And why do fire codes exist? For your safety? And shouldn't people be allowed to take risks as long as its not harming anyone else?
Like most (if not all) regulations/codes/laws dreamed up by people calling themselves "Government or State" exist to generate revenue and ( like the million dollar cab medallions in NYC) to step on "the little guy" and keep "the unwanted" -out!
The men worked hard to get the shack "up to code" in order to comply with the city of Keene and its edicts. It was all for nothing! The shack was doomed in spite of compliance.
You would think if the people calling themselves "The city of Keene" were actually concerned about these men's safety they would have done something to help them escape the cold winter rather than hinder their progress.
You would think if the people calling themselves "The city of Keene" were actually concerned about these men's safety they would have done something to help them escape the cold winter rather than hinder their progress.
Don Primrose would have none of it!
He decided to open a cold weather shelter and help these men escape the bitter cold with or without the cities permission. He called it "Hundred Nights Homeless Shelter".
He fronted 800$ for rent plus the cost of electricity out of his own pocket and on January 5th 2010 "Hundred Nights" opened its doors at 17 Lamson St here in down town Keene NH. It stayed open until March 21st and provided 1,231 beds and served 96 different guests. In its 2nd season in 2011 HN was open December -March and provided 1682 beds and served 104 different guests. But wait! -There's more!
Hundred Nights also has a year round drop in center where thoses in need can go to get free tents, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, (and when donated) -food.
The drop in center has a living room area with 3 couches, a little kitchen area with a microwave, and a mini fridge. Also use of drop in center office phone has been allowed to help those in need find employment etc.
But now all these valued resources are being threatend due to a lack of funds : (
RENT IS DUE!
On Friday oct 19th 2012 dedicated volunteers stayed up through the night preparing for Hundred Nights first annual pig roast fund raiser to help raise money for the shelter. The pig roast fundraiser took place during "The Keene Pumpkin Festival" and I am not sure if all the funds needed to keep the doors open were raised. If you are willing and able to support this needed charity, PLEASE HELP support "Hundred Nights Homeless Shelter" any way you can. Please visit http://hundrednights.org/ and make a difference today!
Sincerely -James Stillwell : )
Hundred Nights also has a year round drop in center where thoses in need can go to get free tents, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, (and when donated) -food.
The drop in center has a living room area with 3 couches, a little kitchen area with a microwave, and a mini fridge. Also use of drop in center office phone has been allowed to help those in need find employment etc.
But now all these valued resources are being threatend due to a lack of funds : (
RENT IS DUE!
On Friday oct 19th 2012 dedicated volunteers stayed up through the night preparing for Hundred Nights first annual pig roast fund raiser to help raise money for the shelter. The pig roast fundraiser took place during "The Keene Pumpkin Festival" and I am not sure if all the funds needed to keep the doors open were raised. If you are willing and able to support this needed charity, PLEASE HELP support "Hundred Nights Homeless Shelter" any way you can. Please visit http://hundrednights.org/ and make a difference today!
Sincerely -James Stillwell : )
