AV俱乐部

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(L-R) Creston Rudolph,
Julia Penney,
Katie Flanagan,
Breanna Buhler

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In March of 2013, when Katie Flanagan and four of her fellow commerce classmates decided to sleep outside for five days, they had a modest goal: raise $5,000 for Phoenix Youth Programs. They came close to their goal, but couldn't have imagined what it would turn into. Five years later, after participating every year, Katie and several dedicated students have raised over $65,000 in support of youth experiencing homelessness in Halifax.

They've had rain, snow, sun and even a classic Nova Scotian nor'easter this year, but it didn't bother this year's participants much. "There听have听been worse years for weather," says Katie.听

This year, Katie was joined for the five days and nights outside the Rowe听Building by听Breanna Buhler (participating for her second time), Alexandra听Erb听and Creston Rudolph, a Phoenix staff member who took vacation days from his job to be there. They were joined by "guest sleepers" who came听for听one听night, including commerce students Julia Penney,听Aidan听Vaandering, Finn Killam,听Donald听Eastop, Tiana听Vuckovic听and the Faculty of Management's dean, Sylvain听Charlebois.听听

鈥淭heir passion and commitment for helping the community is truly contagious, which is why I had to join them as a guest for one night," says听Charlebois. "It was truly one of the best moments of my Deanship so far.鈥�

The challenge

Five Days for the Homeless is a national campaign, and schools across the country participate. AV俱乐部 is the only university in Atlantic Canada taking part. Participating students must attend classes as they normally would. All of their meals must be donated by supporters. They can only use cell phones to promote the campaign. They must sleep outside unless inclement weather becomes a safety concern, something that's only happened once at AV俱乐部 (they sheltered in the Rowe atrium).听

It's a challenge, but the students believe that it makes the difference in raising awareness. "People are surprised that we're here the whole time, and that we're not allowed to shower," says Breanna. "It's an all or nothing thing." Seeing how passionate the participants were in her first year at Dal pulled her in. "I thought, 'let's do the biggest thing I can.'"听听

A bittersweet end听

On the eve听of听the campaign's end, the sleepers all agreed that it was "bittersweet" to be wrapping up, even with the prospect of one last wet night ahead of them. "I don't want it to stop," says Alex. "Seeing the awareness build, the conversations that we're having with people, watching the donations come in. I've had ten hours of sleep over the last four nights, but I've never felt so energized."

Alex, Katie and Breanna are all graduating this year, but they're excited to see the campaign continue to grow, and may even make an appearance as guest sleepers. "We're definitely going to keep doing it," says Julia, who helped organize this year's campaign and has been elected听VP External听of听the AV俱乐部 Commerce Society for next year.听听

"In the grand scheme of things, we aren't giving up听a lot, and it's great to see how much we've been able to raise for the excellent work that Phoenix is doing," says Katie. "It's a testament to the students we听have here in the Rowe School, and how connected they are to the community. I'm excited to听see听how听the campaign听continues听to grow听in future years."听听

It鈥檚 not over

Donations to the Five Days for the Homeless AV俱乐部 campaign can be made听听until March 31, 2018.听The students have raised over $16,700 this year.