The Lincoln Center, Homeless Gear, and Northern Colorado Pride are teaming up to make this holiday season a little warmer for folks in need by holding a coat drive. Collections will take place at the Lincoln Center during four performances of the RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, December 1-3, 2016.
“Talk about life imitating art, ” says Lincoln Center Executive Director, Jack A. Rogers. “RENT is a show about invisible communities that are struggling as the cost of living goes up and up. I think a lot of people in Fort Collins can relate to that. It’s not only a great show, but a great way to give visibility to our own communities in need.”
In 1996, RENT’s creator Jonathan Larson was barely paying the rent himself and seemed to always be on the cusp of homelessness. Despite this, he penned a groundbreaking musical that gave voice to a whole generation that still speaks to us today.
The musical deals with subjects ranging from friendship, and creativity to poverty and LGBT concerns. Since 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT, this is a critical issue for Northern Colorado Pride. Partnering with Homeless Gear will ensure that homeless youth in Fort Collins will have supplies they need to endure the cold Colorado winter.
“Our goal at Homeless Gear is to provide people who face homelessness with the support that they need to survive, gain stability, and progress toward self-sufficiency, ” states Chelsey Mandell with Homeless Gear. “This is an amazing opportunity to help people get what they need to survive, but it also allows people to focus on aspects of life beyond meeting those basic needs. We send a huge, huge thank you to the Lincoln Center and anyone who participates this year.”
The most needed items are adult hoodies, fleeces, sweatshirts (no sweaters), jackets, winter gloves, tents, tarps, framed backpacks, school-size backpacks, socks, sleeping bags, warm sweatpants, and thermal tops and bottoms.
New or gently-used items will be taken at the Lincoln Center during the four performances of RENT, December 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec 3 at 2 p.m., 2016.
For more information, please go to lincolncenprod.wpengine.com/rent.