Mayor Will Wynn began today’s City Council meeting remarking on the untimely death yesterday of Austin political fixture Jennifer Gale.
Noting that Gale had signed up to speak that day during noon Citizens Communications, he said “we are going to have a nice little remembrance,” likely a replay of one of Gale’s several songs. He then segued into a discussion of the “remarkable giving opportunity” citizens had to help House the Homeless this holiday season. In the middle of their annual “thermal drive,” a $10 donation purchases a pair of thermal underwear for those sleeping on the street; a $25 donation purchases thermals plus socks, gloves, and a hat.
“This community strives to have as many emergency shelter beds open as possible,” said Wynn. However, with a homeless population estimated as large as 4,000, the city’s 600 shelter beds don’t stretch far. “Jennifer, of course, as you all know, slept most nights outdoors,” said Wynn, making her, by his estimate, “the 136th person who has died sleeping on the streets in the last 12 months.”
You can donate to House the Homeless online here.
This article appears in December 12 • 2008.