By Erica Lalak
Correspondent
DALTON, Ga. — Some Dalton State College students and anyone else who wants to participate will spend the night in cardboard boxes tonight to raise awareness of homelessness.
“Homelessness is the social issue in Whitfield County that the Social Work Club decided to adopt,” said Patricia Grady, president of the campus club. “The goal of the event is to increase awareness of homelessness in our area, as well as in our state and nation.”
Between 10 percent and 15 percent of Whitfield County’s roughly 93,000 residents are homeless or unstably housed, according to Gaile Jennings, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp.
The “box-a-thon” will start at 7 p.m. outside Dalton State’s student center and last all night, Ms. Grady said. Students can pass the time with speakers, games, entertainment, prizes and food, she said.
Hilary Melon, a Dalton State student and member of the Social Work Club, said she expects no one actually will be getting much sleep.
There will be live student bands, s’mores, a soup dinner and a box-decorating contest. All of the boxes will be donated by Box 1 in Dalton.
No one is required to stay the whole night, according to organizers. Anyone can make a donation, have fun and leave at any time.
This is the third year the Dalton State College Social Work Club has hosted the event, Ms. Grady said. It’s one of many ways the club advocates for social issues, she said.
Proceeds will go to Harvest Outreach in Dalton for services to the homeless.
Erica Lalak is based in Dalton, Ga. Contact her at elalak@daltonstate.edu.