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.
Sarah Henckel of Shelton, who majors in Pre-Social Work, was among the participants.
“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.
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.
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, serving more than 5,300 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations.
