It was heartwarming to see so many mutual aid events over the final months of 2020, particularly given how harshly 2020 had treated the general population. As 2021 progresses, we look forward with a growing sense of hope to a great year, however, many are still struggling and the fight to uplift and assist our fellow humans is far from over.
Recently we here at the Vermin Supreme Institute were approached by activist Chris Atchison about providing coats to the folks living in tents along the Truckee River in Nevada. These camps are routinely ignored, disparaged, or outright attacked by the local businesses and area governments. The few aid programs out there who even discuss helping the residents of these camps set the bar for that aid so high that many have no means to reach it. That simply will not do.
We don’t feel that people should have to enter into mental health treatment, get sober, or adopt a religion in order to stay warm and fed. There should be no entry bar to getting aid because you never know what that aid might do. That pair of socks and a warm coat might just be what spawns the hope needed to help someone change their fate. So from now until Valentine’s Day, we will be accepting donations towards the purchase of coats, hats, gloves, socks, and thermal blankets for the folk down by the river. Additionally, if you are interested in volunteering for this or future events, consider signing up as a VSI volunteer!
Let’s show the world what Love in Action looks like.
