CARBONDALE - Spending a night in a "cardboard city" they built, nine young people from the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship not only raised their awareness about the plight of the homeless. They also raised more than $650 to be donated to two homeless shelters.

Some pledges still are coming in, said Sandra Charlson, who coordinated the event. Funds raised will be given to Good Samaritan House in Carbondale and Bethany Village in Anna.

And even though the mild weather early Friday evening turned into a cold, steady rainfall about 4 a.m. Saturday, "the kids were unanimous about repeating the experience next year," Charlson said.

The youngsters, ages 11 through 14, and five adults who also stayed overnight with them, set up their own shelters early Friday evening, and later heard from four speakers, two former residents and two staff members from the homeless shelters. Mary Campbell, a Unitarian Fellowship member who is on the staff at Good Samaritan House, arranged for the speakers.

One woman, a former resident of Bethany Village, now is on its staff and is helping others. A man who currently is living at Good Samaritan House spoke about his struggle to find a job and provide a home for his children. The group also saw a video on homelessness.

There also was a fireside vigil, in which those participating sat in silent contemplation.

The young people and adults toughed it out during much of the rain, but as heads, feet and bedding became soaked, "they began straggling into the church," Charlson said. By about 7:10 a.m., she, too, gave up and moved inside.

During Sunday morning's service, the Rev. Bill Sasso recognized the young people, and Charlson briefly spoke about the experience. Each of the "sleepers" will be asked to write their reflections about the experience, to be included in the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship's monthly newsletter, CUF Links.

Similar sleepovers were being held in Unitarian churches throughout the Central Midwest District, Charlson said. All have the goal of raising public consciousness of the issue of homelessness, and helping the agencies that are there to help the homeless.

linda.rush@thesouthern.com

618-351-5079