A group of Texas atheists has been helping Austin's homeless. The group is known as Atheists Helping the Homeless, or AHH. Their goals, in order of priority, for their project are: "To help some folks in need; To show by example that the idea that Atheists don't care and don't help people in need, is very very false; To have fun."
So far, the group has gone out to distribute much needed toiletries to the homeless four times. (So often these needs are overlooked.) They have also given away socks and shirts. Their next giveaway is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2009.
The group is careful not to "preach" atheism to the folks they are trying to help. That is not what the giveaways are about.
The group depends on donations to be able to pull this off. In addition to accepting cash donations, they happily accept items.
Following is a letter from one of AHH's co-founders, Joe Zamecki, as posted to the American Atheists Web site.
Friends,
Howdy again, Joe Zamecki here in Austin to tell you about our giveaway to the homeless this Sunday. Atheists Helping the Homeless is coming together as a bona fide group very nicely now.
We’ve got our new website with improved url: www.atheistvolunteers.org/Austin
It’s got Paypal capabilities for donations, and a ChipIn button to get you there.
It’s got a video playlist player so you can watch us do giveaways while you learn more about the group.
We’ve gotten some more boxes of donated items to give out, plus we’ll have items we’ve bought with donated money as well. Thank you to all our donors and volunteers and other supporters! )
Also I’m told there is supposed to be a reporter from the Austin Chronicle there this Sunday, specifically about us and our giveaway.
Finally, on the next live airing of Answers in Atheism, I’m scheduled to be the phone-in guest, to talk about the AHH. The date for that show is to be announced soon.
Please consider coming out to our giveaway under I-35 at 7th Street in Austin this Sunday. We’ll be there starting at 8am sharp. If we all wear t-shirts that say that we’re Atheists, that would look really great for the video. We have a sign now too, thanks to more good volunteer work done, so that’ll get into the video too.
No preaching Atheism though. It’s really fun to just help out, and occasionally get questions about who we are. It’s fun to talk about it without pressure from either side, and every time, we come out winners. There’s really no conflict. It’s all positive activism. :)
Joe Zamecki
Co-Founder, Atheists Helping the Homeless
Texas State Director, American Atheists
www.atheists.org/Texas_State_Page
www.youtube.com/aajoeyjo
http://www.facebook.com/joe.zamecki
(512)758-0060
Comments
Thanks Trina-TXatheist the guy in the dark blue shirt
Maybe we should do this in Boulder?
At last a truely secular means of helping others in need! It is
truly sincere. No preaching. No alterior motives. By contributing
to a group like this, I know what I give is delivered without any
religion. The way it should be!
Atheists in Austin, Texas, also do the call-in, internet, live video show called "Atheist experience". It is a terrific example of rationale discussions about (irrational) religion. Probably an overlapping group with these atheists volunteers helping the homeless.
I tip my hat to all the atheists in Austin! Keep up the great work.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!