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5 days and 5 nights  

Students camp out with celebrity guests

By Anna Sarkissian

The dedicated bunch hit the pavement prepared for cold, wet concrete. Nobody warned them about the snoring.

Justin Trudeau, member of parliament for the Papineau riding, spent Sunday night on the sidewalk outside the GM Building with more than a dozen other participants in the 5 Days for the Homeless. No earplugs were provided.

“It’s not going to be particularly comfortable tonight… but this isn’t about the stunt of it for me,” Trudeau said. He hopes his presence can bring more attention to the cause. “One of the big challenges in cities like this is that we don’t see homeless people anymore. They’re invisible to us.”

Starting in 2008, students from the John Molson School of Business have joined other business schools across the country for the campaign. Students, faculty, alumni and staff from across the university are welcome to join them.

Concordia raised over $74 000 in the past two years for Dans La Rue, which works with street kids and at-risk youth. This year, they have teamed up with HEC and are going for $35 000.

Starting on March 14, a new crop of students and some veterans have pledged to remain on campus for five days with only a sleeping bag, a pillow, and the clothes on their backs. Though co-chair Josh Redler finished his classes in 2007, he’s back again this year for more.

As part of the deal, participants must rely on donations of food and are required to attend classes. No showering, no texting (except to promote the event) and no spending money.

Sunday, March 14, 7:55 p.m.
“Welcome to my bedroom for the night,” co-chair Kristina Partsinevelos calls out to post-parade St-Patrick’s Day revelers who hurry along De Maisonneuve toward the metro. “Every penny counts, do you have a quarter?”

The rain has changed to hail. Almost 20 students from HEC and Concordia are canvassing passersby for spare change. The HEC contingent plan to walk up to their campus to sleep there.

10:30 p.m.
Celebrity guests Aaron Rand and Murray Sherriffs from FM 92.5 the Q are huddling under a blue tarp. They had no choice but to hit the hay early; their morning show starts at 5:30 a.m.

11:15 p.m.
Arts and science student Menara Simeone crouches by the wall, resting her legs. The fundraiser takes on a special significance for her. She found herself living hand-to-mouth for two and a half years.

At one point, she was nearly homeless. “Some good people helped me avoid it, that’s why I’m here,” Simeone says. “Sleeping under a tarp is no problem for me. But it’s hard asking people for money.”

Sleeping bags are distributed and the students stake out positions under tarps duct-taped to the wall. The rain has died down but the wind is picking up. Time to settle in for the night. Trudeau positions himself right in the middle of the unsuspecting students.

6:45 a.m.
“There a sense of camaraderie with the bodies around you,” the MP says before ducking out for a quick shower before driving to Ottawa for a session at the House of Commons which starts at 11. He appears well-rested.

JMSB staff members Mona Senecal and Murielle Salari roll up to the group with a trolley of homemade banana bread, scones, fruit, coffee and yogurt.

“I’m your worst nightmare,” Senecal calls out, tugging on sleeping bags and handing out steaming hot hand towels. “Time to wake up!”

International business student Laura Schnurr spent the night sandwiched between this author and Trudeau. When asked how the night went, she says, “Pretty good. Justin snores.”

Note to self, bring earplugs.

Find out more about the 5 Days for the Homeless. The event wraps up Friday at 5 p.m.

Overheard outside the GM Building:

“This morning in the shower,
I was thinking, ‘what have
I gotten myself into?’”

“This banana tastes like happiness.”

“My parents first told me I was crazy. Now they’re proud.”