"When an interfaith group of Charlottesville-area congregations joined together in 2004 to host a rotating homeless shelter over the winter months, pastor Sam Massey of First Presbyterian Church described its mission as ensuring that there is a “pillow for every head.”

Friday evening, the group, People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, gave Massey its highest honor — a golden pillow — in recognition of his aid to the Charlottesville region’s growing homeless population.

“I wish that I was not receiving this award,” Massey said. “I wish that nobody was receiving this award. I wish there was no PACEM. I wish there was no need for an organization like PACEM.”

Massey was one of dozens of PACEM volunteers lauded Friday at the John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia. The reception marked the end of the winter season, in which an average of 40 people stayed each night in the organization’s homeless shelters.

“You all know that there’s no such thing as the undeserving poor,” said Dave Norris, PACEM’s executive director and the mayor of Charlottesville. “We are all deserving of love.”

It appears that the number of homeless people in the Charlottesville area may be on the rise. The results of a survey released Monday by the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless found that the region’s homeless population increased from 266 last year to 292 in late January.

Eradicating homelessness is possible, Norris said, and groups such as PACEM are working toward that goal.

“Our goal has always been to put ourselves out of business,” he said.

In addition to Massey, two other entities were given awards for their contributions. Shenandoah’s Pride Dairy was recognized for donating 400 gallons of milk for homeless people staying with PACEM’s member organizations. And the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail was recognized for laundering the clothes of PACEM’s guests.

“We have homeless people in our jail who enjoy, even though they’re in jail, helping people out,” said Col. Ronald Matthews, superintendent of the jail.

Also mentioned were the contributions by UVa students, faculty and staff members. Norris thanked the UVa-affiliated congregations that opened their doors to homeless people, students who gave their time volunteering and the UVa Medical Center for its indigent care program.

Tom Shadyac, director of “Evan Almighty” and a benefactor of local homeless prevention efforts, did not attend as scheduled because of an ill father. Shadyac financed a community resource center in downtown Charlottesville that will include day shelter for homeless people. It is expected to be open by Thanksgiving." (Brian McNeill, The Daily Progress, April 12, 2008)