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St. Pete Caroling To Raise Money For Homeless Shelter

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Here's a chance to sing for your supper – and make a statement about helping the homeless.

The 22nd annual Still No Room at the Inn Carol Sing will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the ASAP Drop-in Center, 423 11th Ave. S. Carolers will stroll through downtown, stopping to serenade residents of homeless shelters and a retirement home. The caroling will conclude at 9 p.m. next to a manger scene in Straub Park.

A cookout will precede the caroling, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the ASAP center, where supporters will grill hamburgers, hot dogs and vegetarian fare. Beverages and side dishes will be provided.

"This is a good time of year to remind the public that there's still no room at the inn," said ASAP's Arementha Williams. She said the long-running event takes its name from the Christmas story, when Jesus of Nazareth began life as a homeless refugee -- born in an animal feed trough because his parents couldn't find a place to stay in Bethlehem.

"Here we are 2,000 years later, and people are still in that position," Williams said.

ASAP provides 42 beds for homeless men, women and children. The Drop-in Center offers food, showers, clean clothes and job opportunities. The nonprofit group's services are in constant demand these days, and the economy is making things even worse, Williams said.

"Donations are down, and our funding has been significantly cut," she said. "Yet the numbers of people needing help just keeps going up."

Carolers will be accepting donations -- cash and in-kind contributions -- throughout the two-hour stroll.

Carolers should park at the Salvador Dali Museum lot at 11th Avenue South and Third Street South, across the street from the museum. Rides back to the lot will be provided after the caroling.

For information, call (813) 823-5665.

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