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Yellowstone County Commemorates Homeless Persons' Memorial Day

Flickr.com/Michael VH

Dec. 21, 2018 marks the first day of winter. To acknowledge the longest night of the year RiverStone Healthwill hold a candlelight vigil at the Yellowstone County Courthouse to remember the homeless who have died the past year.

Clarence Salley, a care manager with RiverStone Health Healthcare for the Homeless, says at least one homeless person a month passes away in the Billings area.  

One death happened just two weeks ago.

“They were outside and it was cold and exposure and hyperthermia got the best of them, says Salley.

Of the 1,700 individuals who received medical care last year at shelters or other locations, RiverStone Health says 142 were living on the streets.

That’s someone’s mother, someone’s father, someone’s daughter or son,” Salley says.

He says Friday’s vigil is a way to remember those who have died. 

“And I am always very very thankful because it could be one of my kids that made one too many left turns,” says Salley, “ unfortunate circumstances or consequences or life happenings altered their life forever.”

He says there are things residents can do. People can bring donations of cold-weather gear to hang on the Tree of Warmth during the ceremony. The items will be distributed to the homeless in the community. He says donations of new socks, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves of any size of color are appreciated. Men’s sizes are typically in short supply.

The vigil begins Friday at 12:15 pm on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn.

Kay Erickson has been working in broadcasting in Billings for more than 20 years. She spent well over a decade as news assignment editor at KTVQ-TV before joining the staff at YPR. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a degree in broadcast journalism. Shortly after graduation she worked in Great Falls where she was one of the first female sports anchor and reporter in Montana.