Camp pair weds at church

Camp Quixote, downtown's camp for homeless residents, has become a wellspring for making lifelong connections.

On Saturday, about 100 people celebrated the union of Randy Williams and Ani Otto, two longtime Camp Quixote residents who got married at The United Churches in downtown Olympia.

It was the fifth wedding involving residents in the 14-month history of the camp, but the first to take place at a church, said Rev. Bill Arensmeyer, who presided over the 20-minute ceremony. It was followed by an hourlong reception.

Before the ceremony began, Arensmeyer asked for a moment of silence to remember two transients whose burned bodies were found this month in west Olympia.

After that, the short but emotional ceremony began, drawing tears from both bride and groom and even Arensmeyer.

"This is an important day in the history of the camp," he said, noting that Williams and Otto have been at the camp from its beginning. "We wish them a lifelong marriage of sustenance and growth."

Camp Quixote has come a long way since it started as a protest of the city's pedestrian-interference ordinance, which bans sitting or lying on sidewalks during certain hours and took effect Feb. 1, 2007.

An ordinance passed by the Olympia City Council in July legalized the camp but required it to move every 90 days. Tumwater has passed a similar ordinance, and Lacey officials have been considering one.

The camp has moved from church property to church property in Olympia and today is back at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Arensmeyer said.

Guests at the wedding included past and current volunteers and some camp residents.

Carol Gruen of Olympia said she and her husband Wayne were introduced to the camp residents through volunteer work.

"I'm just excited that the camp is doing so well," she said, adding that for some volunteers, it has been a life-changing experience.

"Everyone has this preconceived image of the homeless, and now they know they're wrong," Gruen said.

The wedding also grabbed some international attention Saturday.

Independent filmmaker Asako Kageyama of Japan, along with two colleagues, filmed the wedding as part of a documentary she has been making in the U.S. since 2006. Part of the film focuses on the homeless, Kageyama said.

This is the second marriage each for Williams, 50 and Otto, 46.

When they met at the camp, Otto was in another relationship. After it ended, Williams moved quickly to meet her, he said.

"You don't let the good ones get away," he said.

Williams works seasonally as a chef at Yellowstone National Park; his work resumes next month, he said. Otto will stay at Camp Quixote until she can join him later this summer. They would like to eventually live and work year-round in Wyoming, Williams said.

A honeymoon isn't planned until both get settled in Wyoming, but the Governor Hotel has donated a room for the couple, he said.

Rolf Boone is a reporter for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.