Protest in Wesley Chapel draws attention to the homeless

WESLEY CHAPEL — Stephen "Corn Bread" Green and Basil "Blu" Russell have stood on this corner for the better half of the past 18 months.

A cardboard sign usually says, "Help me feed my girl." Normally it's just the two of them and the whooshing of traffic coming off Interstate 75 onto State Road 54.

Tuesday afternoon, Green and Russell were two of about 40 volunteers canvassing SR 54.

They waved white signs that said, "Open your eyes," "Where do they go," and "Take 5 — write your governor."

Some were homeless like Green, 51, and Russell, 48. Most were volunteers with the Lily of the Valley, an outreach center associated with Victorious Life Church. All took to the streets at rush hour in an effort to raise awareness about the county's homeless population.

"Everybody assumes they're a bunch of alcoholics, but these are real people," said volunteer Cindy Clare, 26. "These are sons and daughters of someone."

Each week, Lily members bring hot food to about a dozen homeless camps on the east side of the county. For the past eight months, they've attempted to connect the less fortunate with food stamps, veteran's aid and jobs.

But in the past week, at least one of the camps they normally visit was shut down by authorities, the volunteers said.

Green and Russell live in a 1987 Chevy Silverado because they prefer the unencumbered lifestyle. But they also want to help others who aren't there by choice, and they have heard through the rumor mill that their camp will be the next to go.

Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Doll said the department does not target homeless camps, but must respond when a property owner complains of trespassers. He said deputies usually try to work with the property owner to allow the homeless enough time to gather their things and find a new place to stay.

"You understand (the property owner's) side," said Lily director Anna Grover, 45. "But at the same time, what are we supposed to do with them?"

That was the question the sign wavers hoped to raise with Tuesday's "peaceful protest." They passed out sample letters for drivers to send to Gov. Charlie Crist, urging him to offer a long-term solution to help the homeless population.

Some commuters kept their windows rolled up and their eyes straight ahead. Others reached for the letters, honked or waved.

In less than two hours, the pile of 800 sample letters was gone.

The peaceful protests will likely become a Tuesday tradition, said volunteer Hope Grover, 22.

"We're going to do it," she said, "until something happens."

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or (813) 435-7312.