Published on November 05, 2016
Twenty members of the Eastern Connecticut State University chapter of Habitat for Humanity slept outdoors in cardboard boxes on Nov. 2–3 for the annual “Shackathon.” The event aims to raise awareness of homelessness, as well as raise funds for the club’s annual spring break trip. This coming spring the students will travel to North Carolina to build houses for those in need with other Habitat for Humanity chapters.
“We were very lucky to have such a nice night out,” said club president Kaitlin Wilson, acknowledging that with temperatures in the 50s, it was unseasonably warm. Previous Shackathon events weren’t so lucky; last year temperatures dipped into the 20s.
“We had friends and roommates bring us blankets and pillows to sleep with,” added Wilson. “Later in the night we put plastic tarps over all of our boxes so that the morning dew wouldn’t get to them, which worked very well!”
In a 24-hour span in their cardboard village situated in front of Webb Hall, the club raised nearly $200 from those passing by. This and other fundraising efforts will support the club’s trip to North Carolina.
Wilson concluded, “Sleeping in boxes for a night really makes you consider the things we take for granted. The event was a huge success and we look forward to doing it again next year.”
Written by Michael Rouleau
