Simulating homelessness, Habitat looks inside the box
Kat McKim
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: News
While many Boston University students collapsed into their beds last night after finishing term papers at the last minute, members of BU's Habitat for Humanity slept in cardboard boxes on Marsh Plaza.
Students camped out overnight for 13 hours, from 5 p.m. yesterday until 6 a.m. this morning, in effort to raise awareness about homelessness and to collect donations for Habitat.
"We're trying to raise awareness about housing problems," said Habitat Public Relations Chairwoman Erin Stone, a College of Arts and Sciences senior.
Habitat members constructed their box town from 15 cardboard boxes donated by the Housing Office. The temporary arrangement also featured a poster displaying facts related about homelessness and housing.
In addition to raising awareness about homelessness, the boxes served as a fundraiser for the organization. Group members said they expected to raise between $600 to $700 throughout the night.
"As we sleep out here and raise awareness, we also panhandle," said Habitat member Jon Waldo, a CAS sophomore.
Some of the proceeds will go toward funding upcoming "build trips," weekly excursions to volunteer at Habitat sites and build houses, and some will be deposited into a general fund for next semester.
The BU Habitat chapter has increased its membership, with an average of 40 to 60 students attending meetings this year, which is ultimately increasing visibility, Stone said.
The group is also branching out and expanding its efforts to include projects beyond just building houses.
"Last year, we only went to build sites, but now, we've branched out to shelters and [surplus food provider] Fair Foods," Waldo said.
The chapter plans to involve more students as it hopes to raise at least $60,000 by the end of next school year to fund the building of a house.
"We want to declare next year the 'year of the house,'" Waldo said. "We think this venture to make the 'BU House' is something the whole campus can unite around."
Students camped out overnight for 13 hours, from 5 p.m. yesterday until 6 a.m. this morning, in effort to raise awareness about homelessness and to collect donations for Habitat.
"We're trying to raise awareness about housing problems," said Habitat Public Relations Chairwoman Erin Stone, a College of Arts and Sciences senior.
Habitat members constructed their box town from 15 cardboard boxes donated by the Housing Office. The temporary arrangement also featured a poster displaying facts related about homelessness and housing.
In addition to raising awareness about homelessness, the boxes served as a fundraiser for the organization. Group members said they expected to raise between $600 to $700 throughout the night.
"As we sleep out here and raise awareness, we also panhandle," said Habitat member Jon Waldo, a CAS sophomore.
Some of the proceeds will go toward funding upcoming "build trips," weekly excursions to volunteer at Habitat sites and build houses, and some will be deposited into a general fund for next semester.
The BU Habitat chapter has increased its membership, with an average of 40 to 60 students attending meetings this year, which is ultimately increasing visibility, Stone said.
The group is also branching out and expanding its efforts to include projects beyond just building houses.
"Last year, we only went to build sites, but now, we've branched out to shelters and [surplus food provider] Fair Foods," Waldo said.
The chapter plans to involve more students as it hopes to raise at least $60,000 by the end of next school year to fund the building of a house.
"We want to declare next year the 'year of the house,'" Waldo said. "We think this venture to make the 'BU House' is something the whole campus can unite around."