Walnut Creek kids help homeless with fundraiser, Sunday, November 2

In the fall of 2003, Eva and Simon Krueger, then 6 and 4, noticed what many of us see when we’re in downtown Walnut Creek, shopping in Broadway Plaza or stopping in at Starbucks for coffee. They saw a homeless person.

Riding in their car on their way to Simon’s preschool, they noticed a man standing by the side of the road, holding a sign they couldn’t read. They wanted to give him a ride, or food or money. They worried he might die. 

Their concern for this one man inspired the start of Creek Kids Care. For this Walnut Creek-based nonprofit, kids and teens apply their artistic skills to creating stationery, touchstone magnets, knitted items, and framed art to sell. The money they earn benefits Fresh Start, a respite and service center in downtown Walnut Creek for the working poor, homeless, or those at the risk of becoming homeless.

This Sunday, starting at 2:30 p.m., Creek Kids and other community members will gather at Fresh Start, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, to celebrate the installation of a storage shed paid for by Creek Kids. The shed will allow Fresh Start to receive and store donated food and clothing that is given to the homeless. The Creek Kids will dedicate the shed to the memory of Susan Prather, a well-known East Bay homeless advocate who founded Fresh Start and was its executive director until she died in July.

During the celebration, Creek Kids will sell their artworks to fund their 2009 projects.  Besides raising money for Fresh Start, Creek Kids also fully fund a preschool in Zimbabwe for children orphaned by AIDS. The celebration, which lasts until 5:30 p.m., will include live music, a craft for kids, desserts and beverages.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 1924 Trinity Ave. Parking is across the street.  For more information visit www.creekkids.org.
 

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