Sleepover at Boys & Girls Club Helps Homeless

Imagine not knowing where you will sleep tonight or what or when your next meal will be. 

To raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, Alexia Trevino, 12, came up with a loving and caring idea.

"I basically wanted to do a fundraiser for the homeless and people in need," Alexia said. "But I also wondered what it was like to feel distant from everyone else and to be alone."

With the help of her Torch Club Advisor Erin McClaine and Drew Jones, a child development professional, Alexia organized a sleepover at the Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County on Friday night. Six children between the ages of 11 and 12 participated and raised $269 for the South Oakland Shelter, which works with area congregations to provide warming centers for the needy.

"We all stayed up all night and we played hide and seek in the dark, told scary stories, played games and watched a movie," said Megan Mueller, 12. "But each of us had to take a one-hour shift where we had to go into a tent by ourself and feel what it is like to be homeless."

While in the tent, the children could not have a cellphone or any other form of technology. They were allowed to do homework if they wanted, but not much else.

"I had to miss out on things I enjoy when I was in the tent," Megan said. "I didn't like it, but it taught me a lot."

D.J. Johnson, 12, ran around in circles while he was in the tent.

"I didn't know what else to do," he said. "On my second shift I could sleep a little, but not the first one."

Jared Stoyanof, 11, just stood in the tent for an hour. "I just felt really sad," he said.

12-year-old Hanah Toma tried to make the best of her shift by singing the songs of pop boy band One Direction.

"I tried to sleep but I couldn't so I pretended I was having a conversation with One Direction," Hanah said. 

The top fundraiser was Zachary Rosario, 11, who donated $77 from his uncle, cousins and parents. He brought a math book to study in the tent, but ended up using it for a pillow.

"I was going to read my math book but I just got bored," he said. Zachary had to miss a movie during his shift and that hurt, he said.

Supervisors McClaine and Jones said they were amazed at the sacrifices the children were willing to make.

"I continuously am impressed by how far they are willing to go," McClaine said. "They sacrificed free time, sleep and spending time with their friends for a good cause. They blew me away."

"It was a great experience for them and for us," Jones said. "They took their experience in the tent to heart."

What is the torch club?

The Torch Club teaches young adults how to build good character and leadership skills. As part of the Torch Club, members will learn to make good decisions and how to help others, according to the Boys and Girls Club website.

For more information call 248-544-4166.

How can you help the homeless?

If the children and their sacrifices have left you inspired, the South Oakland Shelter is always in need of gently used items that are crucial to serving guests, including:

• Towels
• Washcloths
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Pill Boxes
• Air Mattresses (with pumps)
• Can Openers
• Back Packs
• Sheets (Twin or Queen)
• Bathroom Tissue
• Paper Towels
• Kleenex
• Laundry Detergent
• Bus Passes
• Men’s and Women’s underwear (all sizes)

Call 248-809-3773 or visit southoaklandshelter.org to find out how you can make a donation.