The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Students to experience homeless feeling at Cardboard City

Weather prompts closings, postponements
Updated 15 min. ago
Former Butler County girl on Sports illustrated cover
Updated 18 min. ago
Psych evaluation ordered for teen accused of raping 64-year-old woman
Updated 21 min. ago
Road crews working to clear streets as more snow predicted
Updated 23 min. ago
Rape investigation stalls at Miami
1:51 p.m.
> More headlines

By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 7:16 PM Monday, November 23, 2009

TRENTON — Students at Edgewood High School are going to get a taste of what it’s like to be homeless — at least for one night.

More than 100 students will be camping out on campus tonight in the fourth annual Cardboard City, the culmination of a poverty awareness program and fundraiser for low-income families in the district, according to faculty advisor Kelly Warner.

“We asked the students to collect money for a sponsorship, and each one had to collect $75 to participate,” Warner said. “Some of them raised over $1,000.”

So far, more than $15,000 has been raised for the project, which will come to fruition after school today, Nov. 24, when Cardboard City emerges on the school’s lawn, regardless of weather conditions.

Cardboard City will be made realistic by having students be involved in such events as digging through trash for food and other necessities, being able to get food from a soup kitchen and staying in an actual cardboard box with no other protection from the elements.

The money will be used to help low income families in the Edgewood community with donations of clothes, food, utility payments and Christmas gifts.

Community members are encouraged to witness Cardboard City between 7 and 8:30 p.m. and receive statistics on poverty in Butler County, as well as use the event as a learning experience for their children and give a donation in support of the event.

Major business donors are Selection.com, Butler Tech, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Edgewood FFA Alumni and Edgewood Student Council.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

well unless you actually experienced it like me, you will never understand the impact it had on us.

CBC particpant
6:25 PM, 11/26/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Would be learning experience if they teach students ALL the reasons for this..not just the liberal slant - which is more govt, more handouts, more coddling..they need help yes..but they needed jobs, they needed a country that wants to make something..not all go to college..those that don't need to make something..not just flip burgers...teach them cap & trade is bullcrap, tell em what socialism leads to, tell em liberal largesse destroying this country, health care not a right, illegals go back.

sheesh !
8:12 AM, 11/24/2009

REPORT ABUSE

It's great to have an opinion, that's a God given, American right. But, thank God our children have the ability to spell better than some of the readers of the Middletown Journal. That's why I am proud to have students in Edgewood! Kids have to experience all aspects of life.

Leigh
8:09 AM, 11/24/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Our daughters participated in this activity. Both planned to and are currently attending college. Both came out of this activity very humbled by the experience of being cold,hungry, and limited shelter. It changed them in the fact that they had another drive behind them to do all that they could to better themselves and in turn have a tender heart in those less fortunate. We fully support this life changing experience! It's a wonderful reflection of the Edgewood community and its students/staff.

Edgewood Parent
7:42 AM, 11/24/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Hopefully the experience will teach the kids to stay in school and graduate, lay off the substance abuse, and acquire universal skills instead of industry-specific. Nothing like seeing the alternatives to focus and motivate one's self.

pacfandave
7:04 AM, 11/24/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 9 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.