as for your other questions..how? if you have no car, no phone people have to do what you did, rely on a friend, or family member to get a ride, or use the phone, if your in a dire situation, you gotta do what you gotta do, not lie down and be helpless, Where there's a will, theres a way! walk to any of these agencies, ask for help, get assistance, advice, or at least guidance to where you go for help. I hate to say but in my experience, its just easier for some to make excuses and complain, blaming others than to take responsibility for their own outcome.

Justme46-go to the united way of northern rock county website, it should give you an entire list of the programs they fund. I know of Boys and girls club, Hospicecare, they have a prescription discount program, just to name a few I can think of right off the top of my head.

solitiaction=solicitation.
Caught it myself!

Justme, that is what First Call is-they are there to direct you to whomever can help you best. They do the research for you, in a way, so you don't have to call number after number looking for your specific answer.
As for not having a phone, that's true, it's difficult, but they really can't come to you if they don't know about you. There might be some personal effort necessary to contact them. (This is not sarcasm, just the truth.)
And this benefit for Haiti being questioned by some because we need help right here...I've been to benefits for local causes, including one just two weeks ago. I'm assuming all of you "local only" were there also.
To those who complain about attention given to distant people: I'm thinking there are those who give (to humanity in general) and those who kind of close their eyes to the misery of others. If the first group wants to give to the world's suffering people, wherever they are, how can you complain about that? Really. How? Just do what YOU think is right, and leave others to do the same.
Besides, the needs in Haiti are more on the level of "emergency", while local problems are kind of ongoing, as is the giving for local problems. You can hardly expect the solitiaction for them to be handled in the same way. Long after people stop helping Haiti, we will continue to help our neighbors. Hopefully our local interest will stay on the same level then.
Good luck to all involved in this benefit, and may many people be uplifted by your efforts!

Tell me how, and I will. I don't agree with the mention of the United Way. What do they do? I know Echo and Salvation Army do all they can. You call United Way and the First Call for help and all they give you are phone numbers. What if a person has no phone or no vehicle, how do they accomplish getting help? Explain this all to me, if you will. In my younger years, my hubby was a deadbeat and the only help I got was from my parents (thank God) or me and my children would have been homeless. Sad to say now, but it was reality then. I guess I am bitter towards the so called "help" in our community because it is still being run the same way it was 25 years ago. I give to both organizations now and want to do more, how? You tell me. I am not wealthy by all means. But I do still stick with my first post, we need HELP HERE!

Carlitosway - Justme46 -there were many benefits for the flood victims here, the proceeds from the John Gage DVD sales, there was one put on at Fin's bar and grill, just to name two, also the help provided by the Red Cross, and the United way. Please don't disregard one cause because there is a better one, we all need to help where and when we can. I know you said you did help, and thats great, you did your part, these people are just trying to do theirs. Attend or dont, but dont knock it. The homeless situation in our area is disturbing, the economy is bad, unemployment is at an all time low, Haiti is in ruins, there are still people needing assistance since Katrina! I want to help solve it all and I do what I can, where I can, if you have a benefit to purchase homes in the fourth ward to start up a shelter, I will help. If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem.

Carlitosway, my sentiments, exactly! I know that country has went through hell, but we need the help right here. I did my part and donated to Haiti as most everyone I know has. To learn that there are over 100 homeless people in our area alone is just really, really sad. Imagine....little kids living outside in this cold weather, no food, no warmth, no nothing!!!! The adults, too. It is just a sad sad situation. We need another homeless shelter here. What about one or two of the huge, empty houses in the fourth ward? They could be utilized and provide these homeless people with a little dignity! I spoke with a man who did the count of our homeless in Janesville and he just started crying, it is a very sad thing to see and be helpless to help them. JMO

It is a good thing, yet The good old USA with their economy and right here in Janesville could use a benefit of this magnitude to help the homeless, the poor and and the Unemployed. We have many that are living in shelters that are full, in their cars, couch to couch out in the cold under bridges, in empty houses and abandoned buildings. The lannon stone (which I woundn't send my worst enemy to).as they are treated subhuman there and at the one on hwy 14 the old colonial.Nothern town is not so bad. But then again when you deny it exists then you don't have to look at the truth of YES IT DOES HAPPEN HERE!!!!! Question ? did they have a benefit like this for our very own flood victims?

Hey, maybe they should build an ice arena!

thanks to many wonderful kind-hearted people out there making this happen

Thanks to all involved. What a wonderful way to reach out.