On December 3, 2010, an estimated 100 hearty, compassionate souls will gather for the second Annual Night in a Box event and spend the night sleeping in cardboard boxes at the corner of Larimer and Park Avenue regardless of how cold it gets."Last year, it was the coldest night in December on record for the event and you just never know what to expect" according to event organizer and Encompass Executive Director Michael McQueen. "We just plan it and hope for the best. Regardless of how far the temperature dips, those committed to the cause stay and endure".
This year's forecast puts temperatures at a low of 27 degrees for the night, seasonably warm compared to last year's low temperature of 7 degrees on event night. Rick Pidock, an event participant from last year is glad to see the warmer forecast but says, "I would be at the event pretty much no matter what. I have struggled with homelessness myself and cold temperatures emphasize how much of a community crisis homelessness is".
Statistics from Denver's Road Home indicate there are around 11,000 homeless people in the metro area. "Nearly half of those situations somehow involve children" according to Encompass founder, Jason Janz. "Our goal at Encompass is to raise awareness and funding through this event so we have the resources to intervene in as many of those situations as possible and for us that means braving the cold".
Participants of all ages are welcome to join in the event as sleepers or sponsors and should contact Steve Hall at shall@encompassdenver.org or 303.995.8427 to register as an event participant.
