Homelessness occurs for many different reasons, but it does not need to be the final chapter in a persons life. There are many famous and important people who have suffered the same faith. What rings true about all them is; aside from their hard work, there stood someone who was willing to give them a chance. Sometimes that's all someone needs; is for someone to care about them and give them an opportunity. You would be suprised as to how far they could go. Not to mention how therapudic it could be for you.

Let's examine some people who were homeless, and managed to get plugged back in.

Jim Carrey - His family fell on tough times and they ended up living out of a van. He worked as a janitor while going to open mic nights in his time off and eventually landed the lead in “Once Bitten”.

Tyler Perry - After his first theatrical production failed miserably, he lived out of his car and kept rewriting his script until it went big at the House of Blues.

Halle Berry - Staying in New York to pursue her acting dreams even after she ran out of money, she lived in a homeless shelter prior to landing a role on ABC.

Jim Kramer - While working for the LA Herald-Examiner as a journalist his house got robbed multiple times. As a result he was forced to live out of his car for nearly a year before eventually becoming host of Mad Money.

Shania Twain - When she was a teenager her mom moved her family to a shelter in Toronto so that they would have enough to eat. And as early as 8 she was already singing in bars for food.

Dr. Phil - When he was younger he lived out of a car with his dad until he eventually got a room at a downtown YMCA for 5 dollars per week.

Steve Harvey - After splitting from his first wife and sending the majority of his paychecks home to his two children; when a couple of shows fell through, suddenly he was homeless. He'd stay in hotels when he landed a gig that would put him up, once he was done, he had nowhere to go and began living out of his 1976 Ford Tempo, using an Igloo cooler in the backseat as a makeshift refrigerator, and washing up in hotel bathrooms, gas stations or swimming pool.

 So you see, you never know what greatness lies in our homeless friends. Given an opportunity they could shock the world.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” --- Albert Pines

Re-Introduction

Well, it has been some time since I posted anything to the blog and have had a few people interested in helping with the blog so lets re-introduce this to everyone....My name is Jay Herriott and with my daughters help we started The 25th Project or T25P as it has become known.

We have been helping the homeless in the Washington DC area for 12 years now.  We like alot of people got interested in helping the homeless during Thanksgiving and Christmas and after years of doing that the constant thought on my brain was "who helps in March or June or the rest of the year".
It took a while of trying to figure out "what" to do or "how" to do it.  Then in August of 2010 I was looking at the calendar and Thanksgiving would fall on the 25th.  Christmas is always the 25th.  A friend of mine always told me "if you don't have a date on the wall nothing gets done" So there it was my "date on the wall" = the 25th!  So we set out with a plan of doing something on the 25th of every month.  Since that time The 25th Project has grown into doing more and helping our homeless friends more than just one time per month.  We have other good volunteers that want to help and often help weekly if not daily.  It truly has been cool to see the growth for T25P.  We have grown to do fund raising and become a 501C3.  This is what has happened in just the last 4 months:

November 25th - Propane Refills - filled 25 - 20 pound tanks for our homeless friends
Thanksgiving Day 2013 - 203 Meals served with 73 Volunteers
December 15th - Sweatshirts and coats donated from TJ MAXX and Marshalls delivered
Christmas Day 2013 - 330 Meals served and 153 volunteers showed up to help with food, wrap presents, deliver meals
January 6th 2014 - Teamed up with DMV Jeepers to collect coats propane and food the temperature was 9 degrees
January 7th 2014 DMV Jeepers in Fredricksburg collected coats and clothing  to help Micah House in Fredricksburg
January 16th - 6 degrees outside we refilled another 20 propane cans
January 25th - Chili Cookoff - 80 volunteers showed up to serve chili to our homeless friends
February - I forgot the temperature but snow and Ice had it way down there we collected and delivered more propane and 2 tents that collapsed.
February 25th - 45 Volunteers showed up to help with Soup 'n Socks for the Homeless.  We had 12 gallons of soup hot and ready to go.  150 cans of soup collected.  600+ pairs of socks were distributed.
March more snow more ice...more tents replaced
March 25th - Toiletrie bags were made up by several churches and by the girls scouts.  We ate Corned beef and Cabbage made by several folks plus we had a few Irish Stew's served. 

So this is a snap shot of what has been happening and we want to thank you for following our blog.  We will have several other people chime in as we try to figure out how to integrate this into a new and improved website that will launch soon check it out by clicking www.T25P.org

If you have questions please email info@the25thproject.org

Blessed.

Jay
 

Christmas in the rearview mirror

Christmas Day 2010

 

Looking back in the rear view mirror of Christmas Day.  What an amazing day we had.  We were able to have 25 HOT meals distributed to the homeless people on the streets of Washington DC.  We stopped by and found Walter under a bridge by the Main Avenue water front.  Walter has been homeless for 26 years his choice is what he says.  We then made our way over past Pennsylvania Ave we found Tim and John.  They were grateful to have a good hot meal and someone just to talk with them.  Talked to "Baby Doll" but she didn't want any food.  We found Antonio.  We talked with Melody.  Thomas, Wesley and Randy.  These were the names of people we were able to assist.   There were 3 guys off Constitution Ave and they had chips and crackers but nothing hot.  I want to thank each person that contributed financially, prayerfully, physically.  It was a wonderful time with family.   The thought for The 25th Project is to help provide some essentials for the homeless.  Tim gave me a hug and said he appreciated the food. 

 

Looking forward to January 25th.  We will have a coat drive and distribute 25 coats out to the homeless!  We have 3 coats that have been donated already!  If you are interested in helping please email the25thproject@gmail.com

 

Thank you all for your help in each way that you contributed!

 

Jay

The 25th Project - Your opportunity to help

It is a week before Christmas and as this project is starting up we have several opportunities for people to assist.  Next week the goal is to feed 25 homeless people in Washington DC.  On Thanksgiving Day I met several homeless folks.  One guy didn't want any asistance.  There were 2 young men sitting in Georgetown with the poorest looking puppy I have ever seen they needed food for them and the dog.  I was happy to assist.  There are people all around us that could use help.  The goal for The 25th Project is to help the homeless one time per month.  So if you want to know more please search for us on Facebook and Twitter @The25thProject or email the25thproject@gmail.com

Launching "The 25th Project"

Today December 9th we are launching "The 25th Project" the idea behind the project is to not forget about the homeless in Washington DC or any other place where we have homeless people.  The 25th Project is going to set time aside on the 25th day of each month to help homeless. 
December 25th - Christmas dinners will be delivered Washington DC.  - .25 cent donations accepted
January 25th - Coat Drive
February 25th - Gloves and Hat Drive
March 25th - T-shirt and Socks Drive

If you have interest in helping with the Christmas day meal preperation or food distribution please contact me at the25thproject@gmail.com

Thanks,

Jay