Raising awareness of issues facing homeless
Published Saturday October 24th, 2009
Fundraiser: Participants get a taste of challenges faced by those less fortunate
MIRAMICHI - For the countless homeless people throughout the country, the idea of sleeping in the freezing cold with hardly a blanket to keep you warm in any shelter you may find is a harsh reality.
Roughly 50 people took this concept to heart Oct. 16 as people of all ages took part in the Miramichi Youth House's 12 Homeless Hours.
At the event, held from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., dozens of people took to Ritchie Wharf with nothing more in their hands than a few cardboard boxes, some duct tape and a blanket.
The goal was to bring awareness to the very real problem of homelessness.
Gail MacKinley, case manager and staff supervisor for the Youth House, organized the eye-opening event.
With about 50 people crawling into their makeshift homes, all with a smile on their faces, she's happy with the turnout, she said.
"Yeah, you always aim for higher, but I like it."
The 12 Hours consisted of much more than people lying on cardboard.
Entertainment was available throughout the night, with live music regularly being featured, as well as card games and a barbecue.
At the adjacent building, people looking to get out of the cold momentarily were able to have a seat and serve themselves tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
MacKinley also pointed out many of the affable participants were college students, stopping by from the NBCC to help with the cause that ended up raising roughly $5,000 for the Youth House.
"We need to support our community because the kids we help are the ones that are going to be taking care of us."
Miramichi Youth House chairman Don Russell was equally as enthusiastic about the turnout.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. And I like the idea of - it's kind of a truthful thing. It shows people in the community that there are people living maybe in this area maybe not in the best of conditions maybe in some cases. And it's also a great fundraiser for us. And it brings awareness."
Describing the turnout as "excellent," Russell said he was surprised such a great number of people went to Ritchie Wharf "on a cold night like tonight."
"It's not exactly warm out there and it's encouraging for the community to support the way they have been. The city of Miramichi and its residents, and its outlying areas, have just been fantastic."
Russell was sure to stress how such an event could not take place if the support from the community was not as high as it was.
"I cannot say enough good things about the way the communities have come behind us."
On the money raised, Russell was surprised again, but said the final count will be "$5,000 plus.
"I never actually thought it would be that good. I never really sat down and tried to figure it out, but $5,000, and there's more to come. There's still more coming in. There are people working who said, well I'll be able to give you a cheque on Monday."
A moment of silence was held for those currently without homes, and while the wind ruined hopes of everyone holding a lit candle, the opening ceremony went well.
Smiles were the norm for those taking part in the 12 Homeless Hours. While it was by no means a warm evening, the various participants came prepared, even with the little equipment permitted.
Searching for the ideal place to set up their cardboard shelter, the many temporary-homeless sought refuge in every nook and cranny available at the wharf.
From there, work was relentless.
Far from just sticking two pieces of cardboard together, these participants managed to make everything from the perfect shelter for one night, to a more elaborate shelter, complete with "everything but a sunroof," as one participant was overheard saying.
A group at one of the more elaborate box homes, which they affectionately referred to as the Possum Lodge were more than anxious to show of their work.
Within the relatively large area, easily accommodating for more than five people, they detailed the ideas that had unfolded in the making.
Using cardboard tubes to hold up the ceiling and a blue tarp to keep out at precipitation, the happy team were jovial about their work.
Outside featured another cardboard box, which people were asked to wipe their feet on before entering Possum Lodge.
"We're here to support," said Eric Robichaud, followed by a unanimous 'oh yeah' when asked if they were staying right until 6 a.m.
"We're only doing it 12 hours, some people are doing it for, like, permanently ... some of us have been there before."
While Toby Hogan said he wished more people attended, those who did manage to brave the wind have made a laudable contribution to the cause.
"Weather permitted, there's still a lot of people here."
Robichaud added, "Next year, we're hoping for 150."
Construction of the Possum Lodge was not made in advance, the group of about a dozen friends said.
On site, they feverishly got to work, with no plans were made beforehand to construct their homeless dream house.
"We kind of went with the flow," Hogan said. "We're hardcore."
"We actually went dumpster diving," added Robichaud. "Sleeping bags, some layers of clothing and that's, you know, pretty much all ... We say we're roughing it but, really, we're not."
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