In the fall , DuPage County residents give a "wake-up" call to all Chicago area residents to ask for help for homeless families in our community.  More than 1,500 teens, children and adults spend the night outside on that Saturday in tents, boxes or cars to raise awareness about family homelessness and money for Bridge Communities' Transitional Housing program.  The all-night event is held in 25+ DuPage County communities as residents sleep out in parking lots and parks and backyards.

Sleep in a Box is one of the few non-profit fundraising events that allows participants to actively gain empathy for those struggling with homelessness.  The event provides participants a forum to learn what it may feel like to be homeless, even if it is for just one night.  Participants share their thoughts about their physical and emotional experience of sleeping outside with little or no shelter.  Feelings of vulnerability, fear and compassion are common themes found amongst participants the morning following Sleep Out.

St Margaret Mary Parish Quest and Peer Ministry groups and their families are encouraged to participate in Sleep in a Box during the years that our parish hosts the event.  The next Sleep in a Box night will be held on October 22, 2011 starting at 5 p.m. Click here for more information (pdf) and view the permission form (pdf).

If you are interested in raising funds for Bridge Communities, please contact the Quest and Peer Ministry Director, Candy Rice.