Taking Care of our Neighbors, Inc. is 2026 Laurel Light Award Winner

Taking Care of Our Neighbors Board of Directors: (front row, left to right) Lorraine Kelly, Gena Wade (back row, left to right) Phill Ott, Sue LaCourse, Tom Arnold, Rick Boivin, Gerard Washington. (Photo: Kevin Leonard)

The staff of Voices of Laurel is pleased to announce Taking Care of our Neighbors, Inc. (TCON) as the 2026 recipient of the Laurel Light Award.

TCON, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, runs the Laurel Winter Shelter program, which helps homeless men and women during the first three winter months of the year, when it gives them a safe and warm place to stay overnight. The organization was started over 30 years ago by local religious congregations who were concerned about our homeless population suffering during the winter.

TCON is run by an amazing team of Laurel volunteers. They work with the Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center, where there is a designated shelter area with separate men’s and women’s bedrooms, and with the Laurel City Government. TCON coordinates numerous groups from various religious organizations who volunteer to run the shelter for a week each. TCON provides all the cots, bedding, and other necessities, and advises the volunteer groups who help run the shelter.

The Laurel Winter Shelter is a 100% volunteer-driven organization, with a wide diversity of religious congregations and local community members and organizations working together to help make a difference.

Voices of Laurel congratulates TCON, whose tremendous community support serves as a true beacon of light for the Laurel community.

Previous Laurel Light Award winners:

• Ruth Walls

• Cheryl Poulos, Laurel Women’s Club

• Stillborn and Infant Loss Support (SAILS)

• Rosa Maher, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary