More than 100 students and staff members from École secondaire catholique Champlain (Chelmsford) spent a chilly night on Thursday, Oct. 6 raising awareness of homelessness during the Homeless for a Night event.
With the theme “Alone, I go faster; together, we go further,” students and staff camped out in the parking lot of Métro supermarket. Their only shelter was cardboard boxes and tarps, sleeping bags and the clothes they had on their backs.
“Over time, we will succeed in making people realize that poverty is not a choice and that together, we can make a difference in other people’s lives,” said Carol Bradley-Whissell, teacher at ÉSC Champlain and leader of this awareness activity.
With only cardboard boxes and tarps as shelters, the students experienced the reality of being homeless. They will also collected non-perishable food items and monetary donations. Through their efforts and the support of Rayside-Balfour citizens, they collected several boxes full of food items as well as $4,100 in monetary donations.
“I enjoyed taking part in this evening as it enabled me to better understand what homeless people are actually living” explained ESC Champlain student Vanessa Morris.
“Since I was participating for the fourth time in the Homeless for a Night activity, I was better prepared and knew what to expect,“ said Kaylie Bigras. “This time, my box was more solid and I was much warmer.”
“I decided to take part in this event to better understand the reality of homelessness and also wanted to make a difference in my community,” said Megan Boulard.
Part of the money collected will be used to purchase winter clothing for less fortunate families in the community. While food items will be donated to the Sudbury Soup Kitchen, financial donations will also go towards the Chelmsford Food Bank and the Sudbury Infant Bank.
