St. Augustine recognizes the homeless who died in 2014

The homeless of St. Augustine came to First United Methodist Church by the dozens Thursday night for the Annual Candlelight Vigil and Memorial Service.

Everyone from the young and old to furry friends gathered in the parking lot of the church in memory of the homeless in St. Johns County who died in 2014.

After the vigil, volunteers from the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County and the Francis House hosted a free meal complete with coffee, snacks, toiletry bags and Christmas cards.

"It's a time for us to reflect and think about the people who have died in our community who nobody really knows their name," Debi Redding, executive director of the ESHC of St. Johns County, said. "They've either left or lost their families, and no one would really know they're gone. We feel it's important to read their name because they were here, they existed, and at some point in their lives, they had loved ones, and we want to acknowledge that."

Every year, the ESHC of St. Johns County prepares a list of the homeless who died to read during the vigil. The lists are prepared by the St. Francis House and the county, Redding said.

There were 11 homeless who died in 2014 who were recognized Thursday. Their cause of death ranged from cancer, heart disease, violence, suicide and others. As the names were read, candles were lit by all in the crowd.

"Since 1990, the Homeless Coalition has sponsored the National Homeless Person Memorial day on or near the first day of winter to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to address the issue," said Charles Hobbs, president of ESHC.

"Tony the Tiger" was one of the homeless who came to the Vigil.

He came to Jacksonville from Virginia in September because he didn't want to spend another winter in the cold. He then rode to St. Augustine from Jacksonville on his bicycle.

"It was 30 miles in four hours, so it wasn't bad," he said of the trek south.

The 20-year-old said that even though he has fallen on some hard times, he refuses to give up.

"I got my GED a couple of years ago when I was 18," he said. "I had a great year when I was 18 and 19. I wasn't even on the streets. I lived with my girlfriend in a camper. I used to make $100 to $150 a day just dragging lumber from people's homes in Virginia."

Even though "Tony" admits that he hit hard times, he said he tries to make the best of it.

"Life is good, no matter what," he said.

Lawrence Mattox took the time to address the volunteers who made the event possible.

"I appreciate what you guys do," he said.

Lawrence and his partner, Julie, have been living on the streets together for about three years.

"I love her," he said. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Like "Tony the Tiger," Lawrence said he used to have a good life.

"I owned a business downtown for nine years, but when the economy went down, I went down with it," he said. "So I've been homeless the last two and a half years."

Julie said she has been coming to the vigil for the last two years, and this year was especially hard for her.

"This time of year is hard," she said. "I lost two people who were very close to me this year."