Applause, applause to Cindy Perlman and the over 100 students, staff, and parents who participated in the Homelessness event from Friday, April 25 at 2:30 until Saturday, April 26 at 1:30.

 

The Cardboard City was erected Friday afternoon, thanks to the donation of boxes from International Paper. Students were given 2 peanut butter sandwiches and one bottle of water. The warm weather Friday evening provided a wonderful setting for the students to play and socialize. There was time for serious reflection as speakers from three community agencies addressed the students. Salvation Army REACH program, Gleaners Food Bank, and The Connection talked to the students about the services that their agency provides.

 

The event got more interesting when a water main in the west parking lot of the Freshman Campus burst causing all of the water to be shut off on campus. Thanks go to our grounds crew for moving a Portajohn to the front parking lot. The wind proved that a cardboard box is a temporary shelter that can be lifted and moved at any time.

 

The weather report was a concern all evening. Thunderstorms were predicted and hail actually fell in Brighton as well as torrential rain in Novi. The Freshman Campus, fortunately, only received a few drops of rain in the early dawn hour. The wind picked up out of the south in the morning and the temperatures plummeted.

 

As the students awoke, they were greeted with cold, wind, hunger, and heavy dark clouds. A minister from Fowlerville stopped by to talk with Mrs. Perlman about his experience as a homeless person earlier in his lifetime. He spoke with the students briefly and then gave a $200 donation.

 

The students were uplifted in their spirits throughout the day and night by cars honking in support of the project. People drove by and gave canned goods and money. Several media outlets came to do interviews and took pictures. The students' goal was to raise $6000 to give to local agencies that offer services to homeless people. The students decided to give all of the food to Gleaners and to split the cash donations three ways: REACH program, The Connection, and OLHSA. Community Education had a family fun night in the FC gym. They had families bring canned goods instead of charging an admission.

 

The students cleaned up the entire front lawn of the FC and recycled the boxes. The event ended with pizza donated by many local pizzerias. The students were like "vultures" waiting for their one piece of pizza. (And then a second and third piece).

 

Parents chaperoned in shifts all through the day and night. Students remarked that it was more fun than they had imagined and plan to participate next year.

 

The students met and exceeded their goal. So far, $9200 was raised. Perhaps, the HPS staff can help them break $10,000! Plan to join us next year for a life-changing experience in one 24 hour period.

 

I am proud to be associated with this fine group of students and teachers.

 

Ann Anderson