I couldn’t be more proud of my thoughtful and generous family and friends.

For my upcoming 60th birthday, they wondered what they could get for me. “I have everything I need; please don’t give me anything, only your congratulations!” was the answer. So, as I wished, they didn’t buy me anything. However, they came up with two gifts that took my breath away:

First, my friend Cathy presented me with a Project Homeless Connect registration print-out – she had signed up to spend June 5 at Bill Graham Auditorium as a first-time volunteer. Then, my friend Barbara presented me with donations for Project Homeless Connect that she had collected from my mom, my sister, and 20 friends – totaling $2,250!

A dedicated volunteer since the first Project Homeless Connect, I have never suggested that anyone else volunteer or donate. Thank you, loved ones, for picking up on my passion and honoring me in a BIG way as I turned 60!

- Sonja Hyams, long time PHC Volunteer and Supporter

When a close friend and a major part of my support system turned a significant age, I wanted to recognize this rite of passage in a significant way. I turned to the one thing I know she is passionate about, Project Homeless Connect, and honored her birthday by donating a day of my time.

I packed up my comfort zone and headed off to Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. What I saw on the main floor made quite an impression. I expected representatives from shelters, drug rehabilitation and a food bank, but I had never considered the need for other services such as reading glasses, lawyer services or the ability to make a possibly life changing call to a loved one. I was told that it is possible to achieve more at one Project Homeless Connect event than eight months of persistent agency visits.

If you have a friend who loves San Francisco the way Sonja and I do, I encourage you to consider a gift of your time to Project Homeless Connect.

- Cathy, first time PHC Volunteer