UB's Community Action Corps got a taste of the chilly winter nights facing Buffalo's homeless residents Saturday when they spent the night in the courtyard behind the Student Union.
The group's Night Out to Fight Homelessness, co-sponsored by Circle K, raised about $400 while challenging students to camp out in the 40-degree weather for 12 hours with only their warm clothing and cardboard boxes.
"I see a lot of people caring about the cause, and I see a lot of people being enthusiastic. I think we need more events like this at UB," said Luis Ramirez, a senior urban public policy major.
According to event organizers, nearly 80 students attended this year's Night Out, and 14 stayed the entire night. Last year, only six students made it through the whole 12 hours as vicious winds and icy rain tore apart the cardboard shelters and blew away the popcorn machine.
Event organizer Danielle Bartholomew said this year's Night Out included coffee donated from Starbucks but didn't have perks like a popcorn machine so that it would be "less of a carnival event."
"The goal of tonight is to raise homelessness awareness through the educational speakers who work with Buffalo's homeless, and to raise money to donate to the Friends of the Night People," said Bartholomew, co-event director for the Community Action Corps.
Friends of the Night People, a local support organization, provides both free dinners and medical services for the homeless. According to Bartholomew, the Night Out was preceded with a week of speakers from Buffalo City Mission, the Erie County Commission on Homelessness, and Meals on Wheels.
Thomas McLaughlin, executive director of Buffalo City Mission, spoke at the Night Out and encouraged students to get involved.
"It's some of the most rewarding work you can do, helping homeless people," he said.
McLaughlin told the students that contrary to popular belief, homelessness in America is getting worse. There are 1.3 million more homeless people in America this year than in 2003. And many of them, he said, are women and children.
"The need for support is increasing annually," he said. "Children are the saddest group of homeless because you can never blame a child for being homeless."
McLaughlin added that although City Mission is slated to complete a new shelter in 2005, there is always a need for volunteers.
"Often it's the small minority that's willing to make a difference," he said. "You personally can't help all the homeless in Buffalo, but you can help one person."
Ramirez, who was with both Lambda Upsilon Lambda and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, said having speakers added a certain element to the event.
"Getting the university community involved with the Buffalo community is what I think makes this a great event," he said.
Debansu Ghosh, regional lieutenant governor for Circle K, said he hoped students gained some insight from the Night Out.
"Number one tonight, we want to increase awareness of homelessness," he said.
Sarah Jones, a sophomore anthropology major who attended the Night Out last year, said she felt most students are misinformed about homelessness.
"I think it's good to raise awareness because a lot of people don't realize homelessness isn't just about soup kitchens and men getting drunk on the street," she said.
And although Saturday's Night Out was far less inclement than last year's, Jones said huddling from the wind in the freezing rain made a long-lasting impact on her.
"The weather in Buffalo is horrible, and having to be outside in it -- I couldn't imagine people have to do this everyday," she said.
