“After 16 years of silence, the brand is still alive,” says Street Relief founder and Cromwell radio personality Brian Jackson. Many Owensboroans remember Street Relief as a very successful initiative to raise awareness and funds for homelessness in the 90’s. This time around, the entire team at Cromwell Radio is involved in different aspects of Street Relief, and all five stations will be supporting it on air for the next four weeks starting January 19th.
Already, it seems the community is in full support. A press conference was held Tuesday announcing that Ashley Furniture Home Store is the title sponsor for Street Relief. T-shirts (donated by Terry’s Tees) and stickers and bracelets (donated by Nimco) will be sold to help raise funds. Five local agencies will be the recipients of all money raised: Boulware Mission, Daniel Pitino Shelter, St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, Oasis, and Owensboro Regional Recover Center.
Jackson says that Street Relief has become his life’s mission, especially now that it’s come back to life. “When I came to Cromwell Radio, people almost always asked me the same two questions. #1: ‘Will Wicked Wanda be doing the Friday call?’ and #2: ‘Are you doing Street Relief again?’” The pieces fell into place nicely. In 2007, James Barnett (Director of Pitino Shelter) patented the name Street Relief. When Cromwell hired Jackson, General Manager Brack Stacey asked Jackson about starting Street Relief again. “I didn’t even have to bring it up,” Jackson admitted.
The Washington Post reported that Kentucky ranks 50th in child homelessness per capita. Those are startling findings. “Our experience is that people want to give and be involved when they are given a chance to take a step at the entry level,” Jackson said. “Street Relief is an opportunity for people who want to get involved but may not know how.”
There are three focal points to the Ashley Furniture Home Store Street Relief. The first is a homeless resource fair to be held at Settle Memorial on January 28th. The second is a fundraising event called a “Night Without A Home,” which will be Friday, February 6th on campus at KWC. The night will include dinner, bingo, a live auction, live entertainment, and other various activities. Elected Officials, community leaders, and concerned citizens are encouraged to participate. Street Relief concludes with a three day event at Towne Square Mall where WBIO, WVJS, CJ 105.7, and 97X will be broadcasting live Feb 13th – 15th. Staff and Volunteers will be selling AFHS Street Relief T-shirts and bracelets. The public is encouraged to drop off non-perishable items as well. Any size donation will be greatly appreciated.
Owensboro Living is happy to help spread the word about this great way to help in our community. We will feature each of the five receiving agencies over the next several weeks during the Ashley Furniture Home Store Street Relief.
For more information contact Cromwell Radio Group at 270-683-5200 or stop by 1115 Tamarack Rd. Owensboro, KY 42301.
