CLEVELAND — Cleveland organization Homeless Hookup CLE is helping the homeless and their four-legged family members find shelter in the cold.
3News recently spoke to a 60-year-old woman named Eletta Garlandios, who lives on the streets with her dog Sweet Pea. She says no shelters will accept her because she has a dog, and she isn’t willing to give up her pup.
"She’s my ride or die," Garlandios said of Sweet Pea. "Nobody wants to give me [anything] because I have her. That dog and I will die together on these streets before I let her go."
Thanks to the generosity of others, including 3News viewers, both finally have a warm place to stay. Dean Roff of Homeless Hookup found a hotel in Westlake that would accept Garlandios and Sweet Pea. He provided Garlandios with food and clothes and paid for the hotel through the month of February.
"What we do with the homeless is ask them what they need—food clothes, shelter—and then we do our best to locate resources, or we dig into our own funds if we have to," Roff said.
Garlandios says she eventually hopes to buy a bus ticket to get back to her home state of Alabama, where she says she has friends who can help her get back on her feet. To donate to Homeless Hookup, go to HomlessHookupCLE.com.
RELATED HEADLINES:
- Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner issues a public health warning after at least 5 winter-related deaths occur within days
- Caring for area's homeless during freezing temperatures
- City Club of Cleveland chefs cook for free to feed the homeless
- Local charities and non-profits see surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic as donations and revenue drop