Wet weather did not stop more than 375 community members from sleeping in homemade cardboard structures Saturday night in the Morton Hall parking lot.
The annual Cardboard City event, co-organized by the Ohio University and Athens County chapters of Habitat for Humanity, aimed to raise awareness about substandard housing in Athens County.
Each of the 34 participating teams raised financial support and came to build their own cardboard houses, in which they spent the night.
Habitat for Humanity has sponsored the event for more than five years, said Greg Ross, executive director of Athens County Habitat for Humanity.
This year, the event met its goal, raising $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. Last year, the event raised $12,000.
Campus participation was greater this year than last year, said Joe Stitt, the head of the Cardboard City committee. He attributed the increase to better advertising, particularly to resident assistants, many of whom formed teams with their halls.
Last year
the community was really involved but we didn't get the word out to OU groups as well Stitt said.
Stitt, along with the committee, has been working since early last Spring Quarter to spread awareness of the event among campus groups and secure business donations.
All of the materials for building the cardboard houses were donated by corporations.
While most of the cardboard houses were simple - constructed with the provided duct tape and cardboard - some teams chose to bring additional supplies.
The team from Christ Lutheran Church in Athens brought wooden poles to support their lighthouse-themed structure. They used power tools, rather than duct tape, to put it together, earning them an award for best design.
OU's club volleyball team decorated their colorful structure with sidewalk chalk and balloons. For the team, which raised $55, the event was more than just community service.
We all thought it was for a good cause. It's the first time a lot of us are getting to know each other. It's fun to spend time together
especially since we get to give back
said freshman Megan McCoy.
The Read-Johnson Scholars Complex raised $160 last Friday night by holding a video game and card game tournament, with a $2 cover charge, and selling pancakes for 50 cents each. The RJSC team chose a creative inspiration for their cardboard structure.
We are building a stegosaurus
said senior Emily Shuki, who is the senior resident assistant for RJSC and the Student Senate treasurer.
Habitat for Humanity will use the money to support building projects in Athens County, Ross said. They have two house builds in progress currently, and are planning to break ground on a third this month. There are currently about 1000 families in Athens County who live in substandard housing.
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Culture
Sarah Kaiser
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