University of Lethbridge students who braved brisk March winds and cool temperatures during 5 Days for the Homeless raised a total of $9,204 for Wood’s Homes Youth Shelter.

The students had only cardboard boxes to use for shelter from the winds and they had to depend on the generosity of passersby for their meals. They had no cell phones, iPads or laptops, cozy beds or hot showers. On top of that, they were expected to attend classes as usual and busk for donations in their spare time.

“We had five students participate for the five consecutive nights and we even had Dr. Bob Boudreau, dean of management, and Randy Kobbert, president of the U of L Alumni Association, as guest sleepers,” says Conner Williams, director of the Management Students’ Society.

The Management Students’ Society has participated in the national 5 Days campaign for the past nine years. During that time, the group has raised more than $55,000 for local charities.

“The 5 Days campaign is valuable to students because the funds raised go directly to helping kids, not much younger than a lot of us, get off the streets and back on their feet. What we do only scratches the surface of what it is like to be homeless. The real benefit comes from the donation to a place like Wood’s Homes that actually deals with people who are homeless,” says Williams. “Thank you to everyone who was part of the event and to those who donated. The donations raised each year at the U of L go a long way in helping Wood’s Homes keep doing the amazing things that they do.”