Bill’s Place

OVER 25,000 VISITORS HAVE PARTICIPATED AND VISITED THE COFFEE BAR & REFRESHMENT AREA

ENJOYING FRESH GROUND GOURMET COFFEE, DONUTS & PASTRIES

AND OTHER DONATED FOOD ITEMS.

SHIP’s - Safe Harbor “Coffee Bar” was donated by a caring company doing business in Somerset County.  The estimated cost of this donation was well over $1,000.00.  The company chooses to remain anonymous and continues to supply all the coffee and supplies needed by guests being served.  The donation was made to assist homeless veteran’s coming to SHIP for help.

The donation came about as the result of a story that appeared in the Courier News.  In the story a homeless veteran living in the woods in Somerville told of his need to panhandle for over an hour to raise the funds to purchase his first cup of coffee for the day, his “warmer upper.”

As a result of this blessing, SHIP is now able to offer fresh ground gourmet coffee along with cake and buns Monday thru Friday each morning to those in need.  These donations are offered in a safe non-threatening environment we choose to call “Bill’s Place” in memory of Bill Hicks.   

Bill was a frequent visitor to SHIP.  He was homeless most of the time and suffered because of many health-related issues.  He was well liked and despite the hard life he experienced he had a great sense of humor.  He was loved by all at SHIP.   He has gone to his eternal rest on August 2nr, 2001 and is missed.  Thanks to many friends of SHIP, he received a dignified funeral.  We have been unable to locate any living relatives, but he is not forgotten.

It is a joy to see our guests interacting with volunteers and staff and enjoying themselves in the safe and welcoming environment I chose to call “Bill’s Place” in his honor.

One of our guests was overheard saying, “Oh, this will really warm me up, what a surprise, SHIP has real coffee for us, this is great.” 

We are pleased to be able to offer our guests some small additional relief in their struggle to survive the brutality of homelessness and poverty.  Bill would have liked the place and gotten a kick out of it.  Rest in peace, My friend.