Homeless campout at NIC Thursday

COEUR d'ALENE - A college class assignment should translate into a windfall of donations for the homeless in Coeur d'Alene.

Students studying Recreation Management at North Idaho College are holding a campout Thursday night outside the campus student union building. They are asking people to come spend the night in a cardboard box and bring donations of items that will help clients of Fresh Start, a nonprofit drop-in center for the homeless, near homeless and mentally ill.

"It's a huge thing just to bring awareness, a reminder that there are homeless people out there that need our help," said Fresh Start manager, Justine Graybeal.

Because Fresh Start relies strictly on donations, Graybeal said, events like this are extremely important to the agency.

Fresh Start clients will attend the campout, and some are slated to speak about their experiences.

"That will just give a little insight into what it's like to be homeless," Graybeal said.

Nathan Cools, an NIC Recreation Management student, said the students are holding the campout as part of their event planning and management class, to prepare them for coordinating conventions.

"It will not only fulfill the class requirement, but also help the community," Cools said.

The campout is open to the public. Participants can start signing in Thursday at 5 p.m. The event begins at 6 p.m.

The camping will take place outdoors in front of the student union building.

Cools said the campers will have access to the building, so they can go inside and warm up.

"There is a fireplace in there," he said.

Free coffee will be available all night.

People don't have to camp out to support the cause, Cools said. Donations will be collected throughout the event, and givers don't even have to get out of their cars. They can pull up in front of the student union building, and a volunteer will be there to accept the donations.

"For those who do spend the night, at 7 a.m. the next morning, there's a free breakfast," Cools said. "If it goes over well, we might do it again next year."

Suggested items to donate: Sleeping bags, tents, boots and shoes, coats, winter clothing, socks, non-perishable snacks, coffee, sugar, creamer, hot chocolate, shampoo, combs, brushes, razors and deodorant.

Information: Nathan Cools (208)457-2188 or Emily Skubitz (208)691-1056