Students of Wilmington College in Ohio raised more than $1,400 for the Clinton County Homeless Shelter on Oct. 2 at an event where they spent a night living in “Cardboard Village.” Approximately 140 students participated in the event, which raised awareness for the homeless population in rural Wilmington.
              
Most of the money raised came from Cardboard Village’s entrance fees, auctions, and private donations.
               
Students coordinators encouraged participants to use innovation and creativity while building their shelters—they used cardboard and large boxes and competed in various categories including Best Use of Duct Tape, Most Spirited, Simplicity in Action, Most Creative, and Most Homey. The Black Student Initiative won the Best Message category with their sign, “Walking in the Shoes of the Homeless,” which later became the theme for the event.
              
The director of the Clinton County Homeless Shelter, Denise Stryker-Grant, was excited about the student-organized event. “This is just awesome to see the kids doing this for a worthy cause. They put a lot of heart and passion into it,” she said.

Though the Clinton County shelter has only a 34-person capacity, this year alone it has served approximately 30,000 meals to 165 adults and 32 children. The money raised by the students will be spent towards food, shelter, and finding jobs for the homeless.


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