As the wind howls on a cool autumn night, students pull their blankets close for comfort and drift off to sleep, thankful for the roof over their heads. Not everyone has this luxury and for many without a home, there is no choice but to spend the night in the elements.
This Friday, students will be able to help shed light on the issue of homelessness and enjoy an evening outdoors at UB's Night Out for Homelessness, hosted by Alpha Phi Omega community service fraternity.
"We want to raise awareness and funds for homelessness but at the same time create a fun environment," said Elizabeth O'Dell, an event co-chair and student in the graduate School of Social Work. "It's a night where students can sleep in cardboard boxes and just have fun."
Night Out begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday and lasts until 6 a.m. Saturday at the Special Events Field, located between the UB Commons and Clemens Hall.
According to O'Dell, Night Out is going to be heavily-recreation oriented with large team events and other off the wall things to help keep students involved all night long.
"Night Out has never been approached in this way, with live music and food," O'Dell said. "We're kind of borrowing the idea from Relay for Life in order to have people stay and have fun."
UNO's Chicago Grill is donating pizza at midnight for everyone involved as well as side salads. Coffee will be served in the morning hours.
"We're showing a homeless documentary movie early in the morning to help educate students about the real life situation," O'Dell said. "Speakers from the Homeless Alliance will also be on hand to explain resources and networking involved with homelessness."
There will be a variety of live acts such as musicians, comedians, dance crews and even jugglers to keep students entertained, O'Dell said. Students will also be able to take part in different competitions for a chance to win prizes.
Two of the contests, penny wars and best shelter, are expected to be extremely popular and will be judged by faculty and staff members.
"Students who get involved in the penny wars competition carry around a can and collect pennies," O'Dell said. "The winner will get the VIP treatment and receive a tarp, flashlight, chairs, big box and other supplies to help make the night more fun."
Acting as an onsite fundraiser, all change collected during the contest will be donated to Buffalo Habitat for Humanity.
The Best Shelter competition will be for students looking to make a realistic outdoor home. Contestants who take part are strictly limited to only using materials readily found in garbage cans.
"Participants can use Styrofoam, tarps and cardboard," O'Dell said. "The only exception to the rule is that everyone can use duct tape."
Students can either bring their own cardboard boxes, or purchase them at the event for $1 each.
"We have contacted local grocery stores, liquor stores and even Wal-Mart about getting boxes," O'Dell said. "Students should be able to go into any of these places and ask for a box for Night Out at UB and the business will provide them."
For students who might be timid about building a cardboard home for the evening, tents are allowed, but will be ineligible for the shelter competition, O'Dell said.
Performers for Night Out include local college bands Listen When I Say and The Broadcast, along with the UB Royal Pitches. Also taking the stage throughout the evening are dance teams such as Impulse Dance Force and a new campus hip-hop group called The Pack.
"Everything will still happen rain or shine, cold or warm," O'Dell said. "We want students to dress for the weather because all the acts are going to perform no matter what."
All-inclusive tickets can be purchased at the SBI ticket office for $5 using a wide variety of payment forms while students who wait until Friday to register at the event will need to pay cash. All proceeds go to Buffalo Habitat for Humanity.
Students can visit the event Web site at www.ubnightoutforhomelessness.synthasite.com for more information.
"No one is required to take part in the events or even stay the whole night," O'Dell said. "They can just come hang out, have some fun and help support the cause."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
