Camping Out for a Cause
By sleeping outside for three nights, members of Habitat for Humanity at Boston University hope to build awareness about housing issues
Erin McDonagh (CAS’10) plans to spend the next couple of nights gaining a new perspective — how to live without a roof over her head.
In order to raise awareness about the need for low-income housing, McDonagh and other members of Habitat for Humanity at Boston University started camping out on Marsh Plaza last night as part of the organization’s annual Sleep Out! They will stay put through Saturday, April 26, at 6 a.m. Anyone is welcome to stop by for five minutes or for the duration. A performance by the slam poetry group Speak for Yourself will be held today, April 24, at 6 p.m.
“We wanted to get the word out about raising money for our own BU Habitat house,” says McDonagh, the group’s secretary. “We’ve started a plan with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell for a house, and we’ve already raised $10,000. But we need $50,000 to be a full house sponsor.”
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing group that works to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds or renovates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families.
McDonagh joined BU’s Habitat for Humanity over a year ago, and she says the group is a great way to get involved in community service through building trips and fundraising.
“We’re just trying to spread awareness, and we love for new people to join the group,” she says.
BU’s Habitat for Humanity meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the College of Arts and Sciences, Room 322. For more information, e-mail habitat@bu.edu.
Kimberly Cornuelle can be reached at kcornuel@bu.edu.
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