FBLA Takes the 11th Annual One Winter Night

On any given night, more than half a million Americans are without a home. These rates have only increased since the start of the pandemic. Homelessness has always been an issue for our country and it’s only getting worse. One Winter Night is a community service project held annually in downtown Champaign-Urbana. Community members are encouraged to participate in this event by spending a night outdoors in the chilly Central Illinois climate with nothing but a cardboard box for shelter. This simulation allows for people to raise awareness and funds for the escalating homelessness crisis in our very own community.

The fundraiser has been active for eleven years and is held on the first Friday in February. This year’s headquarters was The Venue CU. Local speakers and musicians performed throughout the night to keep spirits high.

Those who choose to brave the cold are called Box Dwellers, and are challenged to spend 12 hours (6pm - 6am) outside. Each participant is expected to raise at least $1000 dollars through sponsorships, and participants are able to fundraise in teams. Local businesses have been very active in donating to the program, some of which include WCIA 3, Mary-Ann's Diner, Sam’s Cafe, Busey Bank, and Cekander Construction.

For the past four years, Central’s FBLA has participated as a fundraising team. Students involved do a lot of planning and organization for advertising and signing people up for the event. One of these students is Senior Jocelyn Patterson, a 3rd time participant in One Winter Night.

“It’s an important event for the community to be involved in because it has the ability to open so many people’s eyes to what homelessness is like. I think it’s also important for the people of Champaign-Urbana to see how homelessness affects the community they live in,” she said. This eye opening experience emphasizes the urgency in which a permanent solution to homelessness needs to be found. Not only is it educational, but Patterson also says that “having this shared experience has brought me closer to my friends in FBLA.” Spending the night with those you know can ensure you have a great experience, even if it’s your first time and you feel intimidated.

As an experienced participant, Patterson recommends wearing multiple layers. “Try not to have any open skin areas in order to keep your body’s warmth in. I would also say bring a tarp or trash bags to put over the box to protect from rain or snow. Hand warmers are one of the best things to have, for both hands and feet.” For those preparing to take part in the event, it is vital that you anticipate freezing temperatures. For the past two years, the fundraiser fell on the coldest night of the year. Even for those who do come well prepared, “I would also say that if you need to go inside to warm up you should definitely go in, there is no shame in needing to warm up,” said Patterson. The Venue remains open through the night. Inside, volunteers are ready with coffee, hot cocoa, and snacks for box dwellers needing to get warm. Once the event concludes at 6am, teams of volunteers come to tear down and clean up the areas between 7 and 10.

One Winter Night requires lots of helping hands to make sure the event runs smoothly. There are many volunteering opportunities offered to anyone interested ranging from event setup, registration, hospitality, donation collection, and event clean up. So whether you are interested in participating as a box dweller, a volunteer, or a sponsor, get involved by signing up on the CU at Home website beginning in November!