‘I just admire them so much’: Community gathers at Drake Park for third annual ‘Longest Night’ vigil
This year, winter solstice coincides with bitter cold that threatens survival of homeless
(Update: Adding video, comments from Family Kitchen and Mosaic Medical)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon's third annual "Longest Night" vigil, to remember the homeless members of the community who have passed, took place Wednesday evening, this year at Bend's Drake Park.
Last year, the vigil was held at Pioneer Park, and the inaugural event took place at Troy Field.
The bitter cold temperatures hitting this region this week underscore the added risk to the houseless community.
Family Kitchen Program Director Donna Burklo said, "I know it's going to be very cold tonight, and I especially hope that people will come, because it's very cold. We need to experience what our houseless folks experience when trying to find a place to sleep at night."
The Longest Night vigil serves to remember those lost on the streets and educate those who might make a difference.
Mosaic Medical is a supporter - physician assistant Kerry Gillette sang at this year's event.
"We all want to be remembered for our best moments," Gillette said. "We all want to be remembered for when we cared the most for other people, or were our most healthy, or we're compassionate, or were in a good place with our relationships. We don't want to be remembered for our worst moments or regrets."
Since the vigils began, at least 15 people who were homeless passed away in each of the three years -- 45 lives lost, by the Homeless Leadership Coalition's count.
At Family Kitchen, where they serve meals for all in need, they know the actual number could be much greater.
"On a positive note, the work is different, in that we do have more shelter than we've had in past years -- more permanent shelter," Burklo said. "In a 'same-old-same-old' note, sadly, we don't have enough shelter. In places like Sisters, they've been unable to open a warming shelter at all for this season."
Organizers expect a larger crowd each year at the Longest Night vigil, as people join their mission to protect and remember those living on the streets.
Gillette added, "I just admire them so much, and I want to commemorate the fact that they deserve to be remembered in their best light."
Burklo said, "We are hearing from families of those who have passed that they are grateful that there is a way of remembering, in a time of dignity and honor."
The event is a collaboration of seven organizations. There was also a live-stream on the Homeless Coalition Leadership's Facebook page.
Here is the rest of the press release:
The public is invited from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday to an outdoor vigil at Bend's Drake Park to honor community members who have died while experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon this year.
Organizers of the "Longest Night" vigil said, "We will remember those individuals who are known to us and hold space for those we couldn’t reach. The true count locally is unknown, as housing status is not included in data gathered when a person passes on. Service providers are currently finalizing the list of those who passed away in 2022."
Participants plan to gather at Drake Park, on the rise to the right of the bandstand at 5 p.m. for hot cocoa. The service will begin at 5:15 p.m.
The event is held on the winter solstice, known as the longest night of the year -- and this year, also one of the coldest, with the area's forecast temperatures close to zero, and wind chill factors even lower, posing an even more serious danger to those living on the street.
This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the National Coalition for the Homeless “Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day” which began in partnership of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with three objectives: 1) to shine a bright light on the dark truth that homelessness kills; 2) to ensure that those who died are not forgotten; and 3) to mobilize action to end what is often a death sentence — homelessness. It is the third annual local remembrance event.
In Central Oregon, Homeless Leadership Coalition members work in Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to prevent and end homelessness by improving regional and cross-system collaboration and coordination so that our communities will have a comprehensive response in place that ensures homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or if it can’t be prevented, it is a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.
The event in Bend is a collaboration between The Peaceful Presence Project, Storydwelling, the Homeless Leadership Coalition, REACH, Family Kitchen, Mosaic Medical and Central Oregon FUSE. A livestream option will be available on the Central Oregon Homeless Leadership Coalition Facebook page.
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