A bucket of water is just a collection of droplets. If each person is a droplet that fills the water bucket, then maybe we can make a difference in the world. That is what Resolution to End Homelessness (R2EH) Executive Director Dana Armstrong believes.

The Mercer Island native, joined the fairly new non-profit organization last November and along with other partners, has been working towards connecting the community with organizations who are already working towards ending homelessness.

R2EH was founded by Kyle Bergquist in 2018 to support the work being done by varied organizations in Seattle to serve those experiencing homelessness. “The causes are diverse, as are the people it affects, and therefore this crisis requires diverse solutions,” the organization’s website states.

“[Homelessness] is everywhere,” Armstrong said. “We’ve got to dive in and (every) person can make a difference.”

With more than 12,000 people experiencing homelessness in Seattle/King County, Armstrong said R2EH will act as a bridge between community members and the various organizations that serve Puget Sound’s homeless population. R2EH hopes to make it easier for community members to engage in what’s already going on.

To get the community involved, Armstrong has been working on the first R2EH event. For the last four months, she has been organizing the first ever 5k run/walk in support of the organizations serving Puget Sound’s homeless population.

Armstrong said the event is an “awareness-raiser,” not a fundraiser.

“Just show up,” she said. “Showing up is powerful. It brings hope, community, compassion, (and) awareness.”

The Run (and walk) to End Homelessness will take place on Saturday, March 30, at Seward Park in Seattle. The run will start at 10 a.m. Local organizations will have informational booths set up at the “organization village” after the race. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk to the organizations that are on the front line of the homelessness crisis.

In Mercer Island, resident Ann Lokey is helping to organize a Mercer Island team.

“This is a crisis of huge proportions for our community,” Lokey said about homelessness. “Showing up is the first step to solving the problem and following up is the second step.”

Lokey rented a bus to transport those interested in joining the Mercer Island team. She said she hopes the Mercer Island team will take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the crisis. Those who join the Mercer Island team will receive a $10 discount with the discount code “Team Mercer Island” upon registering.

The registration fee is $30 for adults and $20 for children older than 5.

To register for the R2EH see, www.r2endhomelessness.org/run-to-end-homelessness/.

To learn more about R2EH see, www.r2endhomelessness.org/ or www.facebook.com/R2EndHomelessness/.