ATH

ATH started out as an informal project to do some good. Before ATH was 'Shave for the Homeless', which was started May 28th, 2005. ATH was formed in December 18, 2007. We are a small non-profit working to make a difference in the lives of the area homeless and those who need help.

Board of Directors: Garrett Hinshaw, Justin Hinshaw, and Tom Hinshaw.

There have been many others who have helped ATH over the years and Shave for the Homeless before ATH, of course all of our families, but there have been many family & friends involved: the Zimmerman Family, the Conboy family, the Allison family, the Carroll family, the Gauthier, Koren Racolta, the Metz family, The Thomas family, the Keenan family, the Moran family, Tina Rounds and the BEDS Plus group, former BEDS Director Molly Salisbury, the Papierski family, the Lopez family, the Mahoney family, the Kehle family, the Rusk family, the Hinshaw Family, everyone at the Highlands School, the Highlands community and many others as seen in the ATH pictures.

The purpose of ATH - Assisting the Homeless is an organization to help the homeless by lending assistance and generating financial resources for the needs of the homeless.  This focus will be on assisting homeless organizations and organizations that help those in need near ATH headquarters in the Chicago area, but we do assist homeless organizations in areas local to our donators as well. We have been successful by getting the youth in our area involved to support the homeless cause.

It all started on a dare.

After picking up my sons and some of their friends for an after school party at our house, Ben Conboy said he would give me $10 if I got my recent short haircut to going fully bald. Quickly other boys said they would contribute, and as I dropped off kids and picked up other kids, their parents and others got into the dare. Within a couple of hours I had $250 of "dare" money in a pot to go bald. Why not, what is the worst that can happen?

May 28th, 2005

You can tell from looking at Sean and Melissa that going bald was a little weird. I have always considered the homeless cause, so rather than keep the money I made a $250 donation to BEDS Plus.

In 2006 I wanted to continue the idea of 'shaving for the homeless'. I was able to raise $729 and it was all donated to BEDS Plus. You can see this became a family and friends affair, with Garrett doing the shaving.

July 2nd, 2006

The event grew, locations changed and the idea grew into something that kids could do to get involved in their community and help the homeless.

Garrett & Justin got involved, worked hard to get thier friends active, involved and of course their families participated and the event took off.

ATH has made donations to various charities and worked with many groups to raise the awareness of the homeless and those who need help.