Help me end homelessness for local families!

My family means more to me than anything else. I cherish the time I get to spend with my wife and children at home whether it is celebrating special occasions, getting together for holiday meals and festivities or gathering everyone around the kitchen table to support each other when times are tough.

I shudder to think of what it would be like for me to try to hold my family together if by some unforeseen circumstance we became homeless. Mary and I got a taste of that experience when we lost our home to a fire. In retrospect, we were very fortunate and had the resources we needed to keep our family together while a new house was built.

But not every family is as lucky as ours. Many parents when they lose their home also lose the right to tuck their children in at night, share a meal or help with homework – all because they cannot find a place to stay that will keep the family together.

Luckily, there is Haven House.

Haven House provides emergency housing and support services for one-parent and two-parent families with children. The shelter helps families who are homeless prepare for permanent housing by developing and promoting self-sufficiency, stability and financial responsibility.

As someone who has dedicated my life to affordable housing, community development, and economic development I truly appreciate ways in which Haven House helps make our world a better place, family by family.

Every year I invite you to join me for a pancake breakfast that raises money to support Haven House and every year I am thankful for your support. Money is raised from guest "tips" collected from Star Servers who agree to pour coffee, sing, dance, act silly, and accept challenges from those at the event or whatever it might take to help raise money during the event. All of the tips collected are donated to Haven House to support their services and the shelter.

Please, for the sake of the families who need your support, buy tickets to the breakfast and bring a little extra cash with you to "tip" me at the event. Or, if you prefer, tip me right here and now so you don't need to worry about a weekend snow storm keeping you from joining us on January 28.

Imagine you have lost your home.

Imagine telling your kids you can't be there to tuck them in at night.

Imagine not having family support and love in your most stressful time of need.

Imagine not only losing your home but also losing your family.

When life gets me down I count on the support of my family and friends to help me through. I'm counting on you to help others the same way you would want to help me. Thank you for your generosity.

Mark McDaniel