A New Club at AHS

Photo Courtesy of the Aspen Homeless Shelter

Photo Courtesy of the Aspen Homeless Shelter

A homeless man stands in the cold, shivering. Dandy Lee, a 46 year old homeless man is walking home from a dinner set up by the Aspen Homeless Shelter. He is walking back to just a tent under bridge with few belongings. A new club this year focuses on helping the homeless of Aspen. Currently, there are 52 homeless people living in the Aspen Homeless Shelter. This club, Homeless in Aspen, plans to give back to the community and make the homeless of Aspen’s lives a little bit better.  Heidi Lewis-Millard, the founder and president of the club is a Senior at AHS. She also is the president of Make A Wish Club. She runs both of these clubs with fellow senior, Darci Johannessen. Heidi hopes to accomplish many fundraisers this year and reach her club’s goal.  

“My goal is to help out the community and all of the homeless people. It’s called Homeless in Aspen because we’re mostly partnered with the Aspen Homeless Shelter, but we plan on helping the down valley ones as well. We want to better the lives of the community.” Lewis-Millard said.

A club should set a goal so they have something to strive towards. The importance of giving back and helping out the less fortunate is very important to Lewis-Millard.

“My mom works at the homeless shelter a couple days a week. I sometimes go there and visit her. It’s just really sad to see people who have a less fortunate life than I do and I wish that I could make their life more fulfilling.” Lewis-Millard Said.

The Aspen Homeless Shelter is open all year and helps out anyone 18 years or older. Lewis-Millard hopes to raise money to make the shelter even nicer. She plans on having many bake sales and eventually having a fundraiser dinner at the Aspen Homeless Shelter.

“I believe that if we raise enough money and truly work hard to help these people, it could make a huge difference on how they live. Most of them don’t live at the homeless shelter. Sometimes, people are unaware of homelessness in a place like Aspen. It does exist.”

If people are aware of homeless people, it can make their lives a little bit better. Even just helping a little can make a positive impact. Homeless in Aspen is looking for more people to join. If you would like to join, please message Heidi Lewis Millard on Facebook.