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120 hours on the streets 

By Russ Cooper

"I only got four hours sleep last night, but I feel on top of the world," said a bleary-eyed and bundled-up Josh Redler, Concordia's Five Days for the Homeless co-chair, after his third night sleeping outside the GM Building.

For all participating in the campaign to raise money for homelessness, it may be cold outside, but at least it's warm in their hearts.

From March 15 to 20, students will be spending 120 hours on the street to support Dans La Rue. Across Canada, students in 17 schools will be aiming to raise $100 000 for local causes – Concordia's team is striving to collect $30 000.

As of Wednesday, the group had collected over $10 000 in cash donations from passers-by. They’re hoping the yet-to-be-collected pledges from the university, CSU, CASA, JSMB and the Dean of Students will add an additional $10 000.

Thanks to their success in Concordia's first campaign last year, the crowd of brave volunteers has increased dramatically. The group has grown from three to 12 – eight students and alumni from across all faculties as well as four from
UdeM’s HEC.

Second-time participant Redler, who served as an organizer last year, is encouraging faculty, staff and administration to join in the effort. For the second year in a row, JMSB professor Mahesh Sharma, nearly 72, spent a night on the street.

President Judith Woodsworth joined the campers for breakfast at 7:30 Tuesday morning, welcoming them into the waking world with fresh coffee and muffins.
“I learned last year, it’s all about layering. We're basically going out there with the clothes on our backs, so we’re going prepared," says Redler. "I might bring an extra pair of socks or gloves, but other than that, I’m just going to wing it and see how it goes.”

The unpredictability of just-seeing-how-it-goes seems to be an integral part of the Five Days campaign. Beyond the potential for erratic shifts of inhospitable weather, the target of $30 000 might be a bit more elusive this year due to tight economic times, states Redler, but the team remains hopeful.

Last year, the group had a number of donations beyond mere pocket change. “One girl came by and dropped us $70 cash, saying ‘I’d probably only spend it on something useless anyway.’ Another cash donation was for $500. It was really unbelievable.”

The group was even rewarded with an anonymous $15 000 pledge. “When we found out, we were jumping up and down, yelling like crazy.” And while the official total collected at the end of campaign last year was $38 397, organizers continued to receive donations for weeks afterwards. The final tally reached over $42 000.
They have added many activities and events to bring a bit of fun to their time on the street. “One event I’m really looking forward to is the silent dance party,” says Redler.

The wrap-up party will be at held at Reggie's on the evening of March 20. The group will also continue to collect donations after their time on the streets is up. Visit www.5days.ca.