Welcome to the "Official" Ryan Derfler Sleep On the Street (SOS) web page!
Now accepting online donations to support my #1 mission.
About Sleep On the Street (SOS)
SOS was created in 2003 to launch Bridge of Hope Lebanon County. An immediate media, fundraising, and community success, the event has since grown significantly in size and is being spread to other Bridge of Hope affiliates around the country.
During a typical 52-hour SOS event, people live on the street of their community to bring attention and cash to help homeless single parents break out of a cycle of hopelessness.
The event is highlighted by an eclectic, wonderfully talented entertainment schedule, free food, a great atmosphere, and engaging activities for youth and adults alike.
SOS is a place and time for the community to come together as one.
Local celebrities also take part in SOS. People like your favorite business owner, your doctor, pastor, and the Mayor all take pledges to "get off the street." This year, I will once again be on the street taking pledges to get off and I need your help to top the rest of the "celebrity homeless." My goal is $5,000 and that should beat 'em all, and will fund a family in our program for about 8 months.
About Bridge of Hope
In a nutshell, Bridge of Hope matches a struggling single parent family with a group of caring mentors. The mentor team provides the support network to aide the family to become self-sufficient as defined by the Bridge of Hope model, which has recorded an 85% success rate since 1985. For more information, go here: www.bridgeofhopeinc.org
Quick Facts
Average homeless family: 1 female, 32 years old, 3 children - 2 are preschool age
# work hours needed per week to raise family at minimum wage: 90+
Bridge of Hope Lebanon website: www.bridgeofhopelebanon.org
Sleep On the Street (SOS) event website: www.sleeponthestreet.org
Bridge of Hope National Office website: www.bridgeofhopeinc.org
As Reported in La Vie Collegienne, Lebanon Valley College: …SOS featured several gospel performers and other musicians on Friday and Saturday. Sarah White, a senior at LVC, was one such performer. “It was fun… there were a lot of different groups of people…and everyone was in high spirits,” she said.