Students spend a cold night to raise money for homeless

On Dec. 5, U students will trade their beds for the cold ground to get a sense of what it feels like to be homeless.

In an effort to help Salt Lake City’s increasing homeless population, the U’s premed chapter of the American Medical Student Association is sponsoring a fundraising drive for local homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

“It is estimated that there are (more than) 4,000 people homeless each night in Utah alone,” said Christopher Sampson, vice president of AMSA. “As the temperatures drop and the snow comes in, it becomes extremely difficult for these people to survive. Students (are) invited to spend the night camping out in the cold to help raise awareness for these issues.”

Cure for the Cold is designed to teach students about homeless issues, while giving them the chance to raise money for the homeless population.

“We hope that this campaign will raise awareness about the issues concerning the homeless,” Sampson said. “Hopefully, students will come away (wanting) to take a more active approach to helping solve the problems within their own communities.”

Members of AMSA are collecting clothing, food and monetary donations. Bins are located across campus where students and faculty can drop off clothing and canned food donations. Individuals can also donate money to the cause at any Zion’s Bank in the Salt Lake Valley or at the University Credit Union.

The fundraiser will conclude with an all-night fundraising event Dec. 5. On that evening, students will endure the cold to collect items well into the night.

The association hopes students will take part in the event and “spend one night in the cold for those who will spend many.” The campout will take place in Presidents’ Circle.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit local organizations, including the Fourth Street Clinic, Utah Road Home and the Salt Lake Rescue Mission. The Fourth Street Clinic appreciates the help it receives from this annual fundraiser, especially because Salt Lake City’s homeless population is on the rise.

With more people turning to community resources for help, many organizations dedicated to helping the homeless are overwhelmed.

“Our homeless population is growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Jennifer Hyvonen, a spokeswoman for the Fourth Street Clinic. “We (expect) to see 7,000 patients this year. That is 1,000 more patients than last year.”

Teah Caine, president of AMSA, blames the poor state of the economy for Salt Lake City’s sudden increase in homeless individuals.

“Due to increasing insurance rates, high premiums, the many job layoffs occurring daily and many other downturns in health care and today’s economy, more people are becoming homeless than ever before,” Caine said.

The association hopes students, faculty and community members will help the homeless by donating generously to the fundraiser, Sampson said.

a.johnson@chronicle.utah.edu

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