Peter Larson

Nearly 12 years ago Peter Larson then age 6 heard a presentation from Bob Fischer, the man who started the “Sleep Out” a fundraising effort to provide housing assistance to families in need at a Cub Scout meeting. Learning that just $500 could help one family motivated Larson to get involved. Since then, Larson has spent over 300 nights snuggled in a sleeping bag his grandmother made and collecting pledges for his efforts. Sleeping outside in a card board box during November and December Larson has collected over $500,000 which is enough to provide housing assistance to almost 1,000 families. The money Larson raises goes to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, an organization that uses the money for housing needs in the community. In 2008, Larson received a Good Samaritan Award, the top youth award from the Commission on United Methodist Men.