This week, temperatures have been lower — and for longer — than we’re used to here in Central Florida.
Many of us have been running the heat to stay comfortable, but for those living on the street, there’s little escape from the cold.
This week’s Getting Results Award winners have made it their mission to keep everyone warm.
Under a cloudy gray sky, Michelle and Stan Arel prepare for another day of service.
“I think we’re all set up and ready to go,” Michelle says as they finish unloading their van in a church parking lot.
“It’s been so cold for so long here in Florida. This is so unusual,” Michelle observes. “This weather, it’s crazy.”
Storage boxes of clothing, toiletries and blankets surround them. A folding table is covered in “Blessing Bags.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
With that, a crowd begins to gather. Everyone waiting their turn to pick out the things they need.
The Arels’ mission is clear: “We are setting up to serve the homeless,” Michelle said with a smile.
For the past five years, the couple has dedicated their time to helping those in need. They can be found at homeless camps, shelters, and soup kitchens, offering warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
“And do you need a blanket? You can take one of those down there or one of these,” Michelle offers.
The couple has witnessed the growing need for assistance, especially among baby boomers.
“We’ve been doing this for five years and the last two years it has, what, doubled?” Michelle said.
“Especially with the baby boomers. That population, the social security it doesn’t cover everything, we’ve seen a lot of people living in their cars their vans... unbelievable,” she said with a sigh.
The Arels’ understanding of homelessness is deeply personal.
“My mom was Christine. That was her name,” Michelle shares.
Christine McCaleb spent years on the street, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She was stable with medication, but when the economy fell, she lost her caseworker, her lifeline, and eventually her home.
Tragically, in 2019, McCaleb, 67, was murdered, a victim of mistaken identity over a blanket.
“It’s not something you forget you know,” Michelle reflects.
This heartbreaking event became the catalyst for Michelle and Stan’s mission.
“You know, my mom before she passed away, murdered, she was stabbed to death and the person who did that, Jared Shaw, said that he thought she had his blanket. So from that we thought, OK, there’s a need for blankets out there.”
Last year, Shaw was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison
In memory of her mother, Michelle started the nonprofit, Christine’s Blankets. She’s also using her mother’s words to inspire others.
“We put this on the outside of every blanket,” Arel said, flipping over a card attached by a ribbon. “This was actually the last thing that my mom ever said to me. It says, ‘I love you, don’t you ever forget that.’ I thought, oh, I know what I can do with that now. So I’m passing it along to others because I don’t want them to forget that they are loved.”
Despite the pain, Michelle chose to focus on the positive.
“There’s a need out there, you know, and I can’t focus on the negative and my mom wouldn’t want me to,” she says.
An hour or so later, the parking lot is nearly empty. Michelle and Stan pack up what’s left of their supplies. Michelle reflects on their efforts.
“It was a good day. We gave away most of our blankets. Knowing that they’re warm and that they’re happy makes us happy. It’s a win, win.”
The Arels continue to spread warmth and love, ensuring that no one is forgotten in the cold.
Christine’s Blankets relies on donations. Drop boxes can be found at several Volusia County businesses.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: