NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 9, 2015
CONTACT: Patty Swedberg
St. Louis County Extension Administrator
(218) 733-2879
Cardboard box city raises awareness and funds for less fortunate
Imagine paying for the opportunity to spend a night sleeping in a cardboard box. Iron Range Youth in Action (IRYA) students from four schools did that and more, and together raised $3,000, which will be divided among four area charities.
In all, 36 students representing four schools - Mesabi East, Cherry, South Ridge and Virginia -
spent all or at least a few hours of the overnight from November 21 to 22 outdoors with only a cardboard box for shelter. Each student had to collect a minimum of $40 in pledges in order to participate. The event was held in connection with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Students set up their makeshift cardboard box city near the Biwabik Park Pavilion. The evening included education and discussion about homelessness; building awareness and dispelling myths about people who are homeless. Students also made polar fleece blankets, which will be donated.
Organizations benefiting from the students' work include the United Way's Buddy Backpack program; Project Elf at Mesabi East School; the Salvation Army; and Bill's House, a shelter in Virginia.
"I am so proud of the effort these students bring to help the less fortunate," said Patty Swedberg, St. Louis County Extension division director. "I think of the late Commissioner Steve O'Neil who was a tireless advocate for people seeking affordable housing, and all the work he did toward the cause of ending homelessness. It's wonderful to see these young people continuing that tradition."
IRYA is a youth service organization that brings together students from 11 schools and 37 communities. Its mission is to promote youth leadership and bring positive change to northern Minnesota.
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 IRYA students set up a cardboard box city near the Biwabik Park Pavilion as part of an effort to raise funds for and awareness about homelessness.
 In addition to raising money through pledges, IRYA students made blankets to donate to the less fortunate.
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