To the Editor:

I am writing to let your readers know about the homelessness issue currently confronting Danbury.

Earlier this year, Danbury’s voluntary commission voted 5-4 against keeping the former Days Inn at Exit 4 as a permanent shelter, after it was used for this purpose during the height of COVID-19.

Now there are approximately ten men and women living outside the hotel with no amenities because it is closed, and there is no replacement facility or services to help them.

Recently, a friend and I brought water to give them and they were thankful. We cleaned up recyclable cans in the parking lot, handed out water, and spoke to the people there including two people who depended on a walker and a wheelchair.

Local residents need to help in any way they can — we can no longer count on government agencies or even churches to do the work that needs to be done to heal our society.

We all have a responsibility to be good citizens and humanitarians. It isn’t that hard — it takes a little time and money and lots of heart and soul.

Let’s start caring about and helping our neighbors in a real tangible way, and stop passing the buck thinking someone else will do it.

I would also like to add that we know a nice Ridgefield woman who is still homeless after she was initially offered a room at that hotel. She and all the other homeless in Danbury and surrounding communities deserve better. Even the Danbury mayor says that Danbury is a compassionate community.

Don Sturges

Brookfield