How About Those Homeless?

By Shelley Garrett

You’re cold, hungry, and you can’t remember the last time you’ve had a hot shower. You have nothing, and you are completely alone; you don’t even know when your next meal will be. Many of us have no clue what that would be like.

According to the South Carolina Council in Homelessness, in 2007, South Carolina accounted for 6,759 people who were homeless, 20 percent of them being children. On January 29, 2009, 43 of 366 homeless people in Charleston County, who stayed in a shelter, were between the ages of 18 and 32. These numbers only account for Charleston County. So you may be wondering what is being done to change these numbers?

On Friday, Nov. 13 Charleston Southern held a Sleep Out for the Homeless. This fundraiser benefited local homeless shelters. Each team that was formed was required to find a sponsor and raise money for the event. Each person on the team was asked to raise $20 each. They then were asked to conduct a nonmonetary drive; that could include a bake sale, a blanket drive, canned food drive, or maybe volunteering in a local shelter.

On the night of the event, students constructed the shelters they would be sleeping in for the night which were then judged in a contest. The contest was judged on the most creative, most elaborate, and best all around; the winner received a small prize. Students were also allowed to raise money while attending the event. The money was due by midnight of the event.

Throughout the event, staff planned activities, such as, cooking hotdogs by the fire, hot chocolate, watching the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, playing glow in the dark discs golf, performances, and other fun games. Omar Montes De Oca said, “The reason why I’m doing this is because it’s a good way to give back to the community.”

Trey Alton said, “I was hoping for people to see what is truly necessary for people to live on, for people in South Carolina and all around the world.” Many students, participating and supporting friends who were participating wondered why they had never done this in the past. One group of freshmen said that they felt it was a good way to get involved and that it was better than just watching a movie in the lounge with friends.  

            Now if you are sitting there thinking that you’ve missed the boat in helping out, I have good news. If you are interested in community service try checking Soup Kitchens and shelters such as The Beacon, Good Neighbor Center or Tri County Family Ministries, all of which are located here in North Charleston. Another way is to work with Habitat for Humanity. There are many projects you can choose from here in Charleston.

So this is my challenge for the students and faculty of Charleston Southern: I challenge you that as you sit around the table with your family on Thanksgiving that you think of one way to give back to those who are not as fortunate as you. Then I want you to go out and do it. It’s our job to do something and help out in the community; you never know, one day it could be you.

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