Dan O鈥橞rien used to be homeless.

With the help of 琉璃神社 Gospel Mission, he鈥檚 been clean and off the streets.

Now, this is his second year volunteering at the mission鈥檚 Stride to End Homelessness.

He volunteers at the mission almost every week, he said.

鈥淚 came here and the staff saved my life so I keep on coming back,鈥� said O鈥橞rien.

He volunteers at the event to meet new people and bring awareness to the community, he said.

鈥淚f you show that you鈥檙e really working towards yourself, they鈥檒l do anything. I can鈥檛 give enough back for what they鈥檝e done for me.鈥�

More than 20 teams participated in the sixth annual event to bring awareness to homelessness.

Rhonda Fenrick, a resident of 琉璃神社, said it was her fourth time walking in the event that was held today.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a cause I believe in,鈥� she said.

Fenrick also volunteers at the Gospel Mission once a week.

Executive director of the mission Randy Benson said the point of the walk is to fundraise for the mission鈥檚 programs.

More than 20 teams participated in the walk.

People in the community can feel like not only they are contributing, they get an opportunity to mingle with guests,鈥� said Benson.

Participants could walk or run the route downtown, starting and ending at the mission.

Homelessness is an ongoing issue in 琉璃神社, he said.

To find out more about the mission visit their .