With only blankets for warmth and boxes for shelter, nursing students Stephanie Williams and Derion Ducedre slept on the streets of downtown Chatham in September to raise funds and awareness about homelessness. As part of the fundraiser, Boxes & Blankets, Williams and Ducedre helped recruit other students to participate and raise money for the local men’s shelter, Chatham Hope Haven. Spending time on the street and “…seeing what they actually have to deal with, the rain and different weather conditions, and how cold it can be…” is different from learning about the challenges in a classroom, says Williams. Through the experience, participants were able to speak with some of the men who use the shelter and learn more about their stories. “It seems to be a continuing and growing problem, especially in southwestern Ontario,” Ducedre says. It is important to combat the stigma and misconception that all homeless people have a drug or alcohol problem, he adds. The fundraising efforts amounted to $4,800 for the shelter. (Chatham Daily News, Sept. 10)