Homeless campaign to remain virtual for 2022
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on March 12, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com The “5 Days for the Homeless” Campaign is back online once again due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing pandemic and University of Lethbridge strike.The University of Lethbridge Dhillon Business Students’ Association is organizing the event once again this year and Elizabeth Waddle, director of the 2022 campaign said there is not really a point in sleeping outside on campus if nobody is there to see it and support it. While online, they can still reach many who are willing to help.
The campaign runs from March 14 – 18.
“Traffic on campus has diminished greatly and we don’t see the benefits of having our individuals or volunteers sleep outside for five days, and not be able to tell the students or faculty walking past why they’re doing this or just even have anybody see that,” said Waddle.
Prior to COVID, five students gave up their daily showers, cellphones, beds and comforts of home to live outside at the university for five days and nights. They were required to attend classes and fulfill all their academic responsibilities.
“Five Days for the Homeless is a national annual campaign that happens or occurs in many participating universities across Canada,” said Waddle.
She said it is an opportunity to educate and desensitize the public to homelessness because it is a vast issue across Canada and across many other countries. Therefore this campaign helps educate them while helping those who are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
“Each participating school choose a specific charity that they would like to donate all of their money raised to, and the University of Lethbridge has always chosen Wood’s Homes which is a local organization and they help struggling youth with that are either experiencing homelessness or are experiencing mental health crises,” said Waddle.
Waddle has been volunteering for the event for the last five years, and for the first three she was a “sleeper” which meant she slept outside, gave up access to electronics she did not need for school, and her constant access to meals, but this year as an organizer she is overseeing the campaign from a different angle.
“We’re focusing all of our efforts on the other events that we’re doing this year, including a steak dinner on March 31st at the Brewhouse, as well as we’re trying to raise money through some raffle items and also selling some sweaters and toques with excess going to Wood’s Homes,” said Waddle.
The raffle items and swag can be found at the GalaBid at  https://app.galabid.com/5days
“Individuals can buy tickets ($5) to whichever prizes they want. There are also the hoodies ($40) and toques ($10) in this link for purchase, with every toque bought, we donate one to Woods Homes,” said Waddle.
Another way people can help out is by donating their bottles to Green’s Pop Shop Bottle Depot on the North or West locations, and let the attendant know they are for the “5 Days for the Homeless”.
“If the community members need someone to pick up the bottles, they can text 403-336-0734 with ‘5 Days for the Homeless Bottles’ and we can work with them to pick up their bottles for them,” said Waddle.
The GalaBid and Bottle Drive will take place throughout the month of March. Merchandise will be available while supplies last. Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter 4
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