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The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge wins Word Guild Writer’s Award!

On June 11th, Tim’s book The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge won the World Guild Canadian Writer’s Award in the Children’s book category! What follows are the Judges’ comments:

“The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge is striking in appearance, style and content. Amazingly, the author is also the illustrator of this fine production.

The text is direct but very sensitive and wise in dealing with the subject of homelessness. It is explained in terms that a child can understand and at the same time, the author protects the child by suggesting that she/he be present with an adult to visit any homeless person. The rhyme and rhythm also make this book pleasant to the ear of the child.

The Discussion Guide at the back of the book is most practical and helpful for adults.

“Children” does cover a wide age span and generally children’s books are categorized for certain ages or grade levels. Teachers and school librarians would probably like to see it put into a grade/age bracket for a start. (Suggested grades 1 to 5). Perhaps though, since this little book spans the ages nicely, it will become a book that is for all ages – just like Robert Munsch’s picture book, Love You Forever.

The illustrations interweave well the theme and text. The very words of the text with shaky-appearing letters in places and bold bright colours in others help to develop thoughts and feelings and would draw a special response from children. The background reflections in grey emphasize yet again the state of the homeless person even in open sight of our affluent society.

The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge is a grand book – with text and illustrations – interwoven to achieve its purpose in spreading both understanding and also compassion for the homeless. I hope the publisher has entered it into many other competitions as well as this one. It is, indeed, worthy of picking up a number of awards!”

Tim Huff on KEY LIFE radio, Orlando, Florida…

In March 2008, Tim Huff was a guest on the “Steve Brown Etc.” radio show on the KEY LIFE radio network, broadcasting from Orlando, Florida. “Steve Brown Etc.” is broadcast throughout the USA and into Canada on both contemporary Christian and non-Christian radio stations. Steve Brown is a career radio personality, an author, a seminary professor, an in-demand speaker across North America … and un predictable. To hear Tim’s interview with Steve Brown, click here.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

For most of us, the November cold is an inconvenience that bundle up for, shrug our shoulders at, and move on from. And with December, the cold and snow are almost a welcome part of the season. But none of this is so for my friends living on the streets of Toronto, or those on the streets across the country. The winter cold and Christmas hurt are not just hurdles, they can be devastating. So as we head into this season, I wanted to highlight a few things you  may be interested in knowing about, supporting, or simply praying for here in the last months of 2007.

Operation Good Thing
The Operation Good Thing Christmas campaign began in 1993. While from the outset it seems to be all about providing “street survival kits” to homeless youth and adults throughout the City of Toronto – it is really much more than that. The kits are not merely sponsored by donors, they are thought through and shopped out by them: families, youth groups, office teams, classrooms and individuals. The response has been overwhelming – as to how people have felt blessed by participating, and how it has forced them to really think through their gifts, the purpose, and about those who spend Christmas on the streets. Further to that, the Operation Good Thing packages are not simply handed out like survival rations, they are brought to the streets by experienced street workers from 9 different organizations. Staff and volunteers who spend time building relationships that we pray will help guide homeless youth and adults to new beginning. To learn more about the campaign, or to find out how you can participate, please download the OGT Brochure. 

Be A Star Campaign:
Mastermind Educational Toy Stores’ Christmas campaign is under way. During the months of November and December, all customers are invited to make a donation to Be A Star when they make their purchases – and post a star on the wall with their name on it. For the past three years, Youth Unlimited’s Light Patrol has been one of the charitable causes benefiting from this campaign, and we are honoured to be recipients once again this year. The Daily Break Food Bank – where I serve on the Board of Directors – is another. Mastermind Toy Stores are a great place to find some truly excellent gifts – and support the work of Light Patrol at the same time. Mastermind is also one of the key sellers of my children’s book, The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge. I am truly thankful for their partnership, this season and always.

Light Patrol’s outdoor Christmas Banquet. On Thursday, December 20th, Light Patrol will host the 5th annual outdoor Christmas banquet for our friends on the streets. A full turkey meal with all the trimmings, held in a large rented event tent, in a downtown park where many of our friends sleep. The food is prepared by volunteers at a nearby church and brought to the park in heated catering trays. The tent is set up in the morning, with propane heaters inside, tables and chairs, all cheerfully decorated. Warm food, warm people, and a warm environment – bringing a family Christmas dinner to our friends in a way and a place where they can feel ’safe’, loved – and we dare to pray – hopeful. 

Safe Light’s Second Annual Christmas Party. On Friday, December 14th, our staff and a handful of volunteers will host a sleepover night where teenage girls can be safe, have fun and be treated like teenage girls should. It is an overnight stay at a nice hotel far away from their working streets, for teenage girls that the Safe Light team have built relationships with. Food, movies, spa treatments, gifts and lots of important chats with caring staff and volunteers are all part of the evening. (Safe Light is part of the Light Patrol outreach among teenagers involved in, or at risk of involvement in the sex trade).

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