Campus, News

Students sleep out at Marsh for charity

About 30 students ditched their dorms and headed to Marsh Plaza to kick off Habitat for Humanity’s annual Sleep Out Wednesday night.

The fundraiser, which is held through Friday, is part of Habitat’s efforts to raise money for homeless people in the greater Boston area and generate awareness at BU, said College of Arts and Sciences junior and Habitat committee member Katie Durand.

“All of our funding actually goes to build a home in foreclosed properties in Dorchester,” she said. “We have to raise $50,000 to sponsor half a house. We are close to $44,000 and we’re hoping to get to the rest of that by next year.”

Participants sleep outdoors for three nights in a row to show that homelessness is common around the city, she said.

“We may be college students, but we’re testing it out,” she said. “Homelessness is a large problem for cities. We’re seeing what it feels like to be a part of that.”

On-campus student groups and organizations such as Juggling Club, Salsa Club and Speak for Yourself provided entertainment for participants.

“I think it’s important not only as a charity, but kind of come together as a community, as one,” said CAS junior and fundraising chair Ashley Michael. “Basically we have all these activities going on, to keep us awake. We have boxes out on the plaza and you sleep in the boxes, kind of like some homeless people do sometimes. We go to passersby and panhandle them and ask them for money to donate.”

According to the Facebook event page, the fundraising minimum to participate is $10, which enters 5 tickets into a raffle. For each additional $10 raised, participants receive another ticket.

Prizes include dinner for 10 at Chipotle, a UBurger meal for two and Espresso Royale, Starbucks, Qdoba, Upper Crust Pizzeria and Johnny Cupcakes gift cards.

Hodara Real Estate group, a real estate agency owned and operated by college students, said it would match the first $1,000 raised at this event with a $1,000 donation of its own.
Habitat members emphasized the importance of college student participation in the national fight against homelessness.

“College students have a lot of opportunities,” said BUILD coordinator and CAS junior John Batoha. “Generally they are intelligent, motivated people, and part of what comes with that is responsibility to help others.”

Members also stressed that the issue relates back to college students.

“I think as a college student we assume we have a place to live, especially BU, all four years housing guaranteed,” said CAS freshman and Habitat member Marshall Schurtz. “The fact that you go outside of school and not have a place to live is something we can’t comprehend at this point.”

The organization hopes the sleep out catches students’ attention.

“It’s just striking when you see 40 people sleeping in cardboard boxes, so we get a lot of attention for it,” said CAS junior and Habitat secretary Lauren Harwood. “It’s not only about raising money, but it’s about raising awareness.”

Harwood said her favorite part about the event is the number of participants.

“We have so many people showing up, you wouldn’t think people would volunteer their time to sleep outside, but they do every year,” she said.

The sleep out began two years ago. In the past, the organization has raised over $40,000.

“We’re hoping that over the next three days we push it over the $50,000 mark so we can have a BU-sponsored home in Dorchester,” said COM junior and Habitat spokesman Pat Nelson. “It’s something we’re very proud of.”

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