KENMORE, N.Y. — The Ken-Ton School District is still holding it's 37th Annual Jerry Starr SleepOut to raise awareness and money for those experiencing homelessness.
Students, teachers and other community members will spend the night sleeping outside of Kenmore West High School.
Event organizer, Steve Ash, said they are looking for donations of cash, food and warm clothes. This event was inspired by a man name Jerry Starr who used to be a teacher at Kenmore West.
Starr forgot his gloves one night when he was out buying groceries with his wife and this left him wondering what it's like for those who may be experiencing homelessness on a cold night.
"Having cold hands and forgetting his gloves brought about this SleepOut. A simple act. I'm glad he forgot about his gloves, so he got cold for one night. We can be cold for one night. One night out of 365 days, My God. Can we do it? Yeah, we can do it. We are tough. We are Ken-Ton. We are a tough community," Ash said.
In one word, Ash describes Starr as giving. Starr was always known for putting others before himself.
The event is organized by retired Ken-Ton School teachers who want to inspire kids to help those in need. Students, staff, and community members participating in the SleepOut will spend the night outside in refrigerator boxes, raising awareness and money for those experiencing homelessness.
Ash is also trying to make this event a worldwide project. He hopes one day all communities will host SleepOuts like this one.
"Engage in any activity that you want to do. We do a SleepOut. Do anything you want to do and most likely, whatever you get, keep it right in your neighborhood. Keep it in your own community. People are more likely to give to you, if it's staying right here. We are helping our people and that would be great," Ash said.
You can donate online through their GoFundMe account or stop by Kenmore West High School to spend the night or make a donation. All donations are staying in the KenTon community going to the Family Support Center and KenTon Center.
The 37th Annual Jerry Starr SleepOut starts on Friday, February 2 at 6p.m and will continue until February 3 at 6a.m.