A large crowd came out to Centralia Give Back Day at the Fairview Shopping Center on Saturday, helping to raise thousands of dollars for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The Assistant Manager at Rent-a-Center Jasssimin Davenport organized what has become an annual event.
“Blessed and honored that everyone came out to support a great cause. I know it’s a little over $5000 right now so realistically right now a goal would be about $8-10,000.”
Davenport says that is a long way from the $600 that they raised in their first event just a few years ago.
Rent-a-Center Store Manager Josh Black says everyone is ready to get back to normal.
“We are ready to just unite, hang out and get outside the house.”
The President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Kevin Rakers says the organization has seen tremendous growth from a start of serving Salem, then all of Marion County, to now all of Clinton and much of Jefferson County.
“He just keeps building. Our hope was when we built bed #150 we said we can get #200 and we can put it in the room and it will never be used, but that just wasn’t the case. We continue to build and we are appreciative of funds that have been given to us and fundraising events like this because it just makes it happen. The people are very generous to come out and support us and we are very appreciative of that as well.”
Rakers says one Odin resident came up to their booth and handed him a $500 check, enough to build five beds. Donations were also made of pillows and bedding.
The shopping center was turned into a carnival atmosphere with four carnival food vendors along with four bands, 30 vendors, and a car and motorcycle show that attracted more than 50 entries. Davenport says they will be back next year raising money for a different charity.
