By Kiara Catanzaro
Staff Writer
Each year, students host a Hut-A-Thon to raise awareness for homelessness and mental illness. Phi Rho is Bonaventure’s chapter of the national honor society for counseling, Chi Sigma Iota. This year, members will go homeless between tonight at 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. on Sunday.
Mary Adekson, associate professor of counselor education, said the main goal for the event is to raise awareness in the community. However, she also said she wants the students involved to take something away from the event.
“The goal of Hut-A-Thon is to raise our future counselors in training’s awareness to the plight of the homeless in America,” Adekson said. “When they stay in the cold for three days, they will be reminded of how it feels to be homeless. This encourages them to empathize with the homeless when they start their work as a counselor in the very near future.”
The Hut-A-Thon charity event started in the spring of 2007. The proceeds go to Genesis House, the homeless shelter in Olean, according to Adekson.
Adekson hopes students will find a new appreciation for essentials that hundreds of thousands of Americans live without.
“I want St. Bonaventure students not to take the good things of life, like a roof over their head and the assurance of food and daily needs, for granted,” Adekson said. “They should remember that there are people all over the world who are in need of these taken-for-granted necessities. They should empathize and help when the opportunity raises its head.”
Adekson said students, faculty and members of the community can send donations for this charity event throughout the month. Checks should be made to Phi Rho and sent to Dr. Mary Adekson in Plassmann Hall via interoffice mail. Donations can also be dropped off to Mrs. Mary Beatty, School of Education secretary, located in Plassmann basement. Cash is also acceptable.
catanzka12@bonaventure.edu
