The Longest Night Of The Year
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 6:06 AM Dec 22, 2007
The Longest Night Of The Year
Catholic charities organized a vigil this evening for homeless people who died this year. Tonight, on the longest night of the year, concerned citizens and faith leaders held a vigil to remember those who have died as a result of homelessness.
Posted: 8:31 PM Dec 21, 2007
Reporter: Danielle Saar
Email Address: dsaar@kktv11news.com
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

Catholic charities organized a vigil this evening for homeless people who died this year.

Tonight, on the longest night of the year, concerned citizens and faith leaders held a vigil to remember those who have died as a result of homelessness.

On any given day in El Paso county, over 11-hundred people are homeless.

Homelessness dramatically increases one's risk of illness, injury and death.

About 20 people gathered to honor locals who died because they were homeless.

"Symbolically, if you're homeless, this probably would be the toughest night of the year," says Stephen Handen, participant.

The memorial service started in the parking lot of the Veterans Administration building, at the corner of Spruce street and Pikes Peak avenue. Participants then walked from there to Bijou house, an agency that helps the homeless.

"To me its a type of expression that draws to mind the value system that should be so basic to us, that we as human beings are all equal. We're all interdependent with each other," says Peter Sprunger-Froese, participant.

They honor them as people, people who are not defined by their homelessness, but by their souls.

"Frequently these people die, and no body really recognizes them, or their name is not in the obituary," says Handen.

Around 30 known homeless men and women lost their lives in 2007.


Latest Comments

Posted by: David Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 22, 2007 at 10:18 PM

I had no idea that the number of homeless people in our area was as high as 1100. I know that most of those I've met are homeless because they can't hold down a job, usually because of some medical condition they can't afford to treat. Perhaps one of these days we'll have a medical system that covers ALL those who really need treatment. And yes, I know some are homeless for different reasons, but I still think that treating the largest part of the problem would not be a bad thing.
KKTV.com Features

KKTV and our Partners are proud to make Moms life easier…click here for more information

Click here for more information from our local health care specialists.

Do you have a story idea? Want to report breaking news? Call our newsroom at (719) 578-0000 or e-mail News@kktv.com.

Click Here to have KKTV come to your school!

Watch full episodes of your favorite CBS shows right here on KKTV.com.
Latest Blogs
  • EAT IT: Almonds - (Stacia Naquin)
    Keep your energy up when things get crazy. All you have to do is keep this super food handy at your desk.
  • Beware of Crooks Using Best Buy's Name (Betty Sexton)
    Crooks just sent a message to an 11News smartphone. It claims we've been selected for a $1,000 shopping spree. It's all a bunch of baloney!
  • Make a quick $250, hardly! (Betty Sexton)
    Thanks to Christine for telling me about this scam. She received a check in the mail from a group using the name American Consumer Opinion. It wasn't the legitimate Texas research company... just a crook looking to rip her off!
  • Treat It Like Thanksgiving - (Stacia Naquin)
    You don't have to sit on the sidelines at that Super Bowl party just because you vowed to make 2012 a healthier year. Here's some advice to keep yourself on track, after indulging during the season's biggest game!
  • "Be Prepared" is Good Motto for Storm Coverage
    Over in the KKTV 11 Weather Center, the radar's showing the snow moving in. Chief Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says this storm has the potential to bring the most snow we've seen in 5 and 1/2 years, so it is "all hands on deck" and "batten down the hatches", as the newsroom makes its own preparations for this Groundhog Day Storm.