In less than a week, dozens of local residents will spend the night in Heritage Park.
What once held furniture, refrigerators and washers will become temporary homes on Sept. 26 as local residents experience one night of “homelessness” during the sixth annual Box City, presented by Williams Homes. Box City raises awareness and funds for Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley, a nonprofit organization serving homeless families right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“This event gets bigger each year, which means locating the perfect cardboard home can be increasingly challenging,” said Dee Dee Jacobson, one of the Box City event organizers. She is encouraging participants to submit their $25 registration fee, work toward the $100 per-person fundraising goal, find a suitable cardboard box, and begin planning how to decorate their home-for-a-night. To register for Box City, visit www.familypromisescv.org.
While raising awareness of a serious topic, the event will also feature music, entertainment, activities, raffle prizes and awards. Entertainment includes RockNacappella, a local youth performance group; singers John Stratton and Andrew Heath; and DJ Ever Ed-E. Each participant will receive a paper-sack dinner and bagel breakfast.
“Box City allows all of us to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in this valley and understand how we can help those who are encountering difficult times,” said Laurie Ender, president of the Family Promise Board of Directors. “Many are surprised to find out just how many homeless families there are in the Santa Clarita Valley. Family Promise is able to provide a safe place to stay, food, counseling and, most importantly, hope to these families.”
The title sponsor of this year’s event is LTC Performance Strategies. United Records Management, Inc., is the entertainment and hospitality sponsor. Platinum sponsors include Princess Cruises, Brookfield Residential/Five Knolls, Bethlehem SCV, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Valencia United Methodist Church and Global Prep Academy.
Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean will be presenting the “key” to Box City to the Box City “mayor,” which is the participant who raises the most money.
Since 2011 Family Promise of the Santa Clarita Valley has been offering shelter, meals and support services to families without homes. Its cost-efficient and effective community response to family homelessness is made possible through the generosity of local congregations, businesses, volunteers and donors. More information is available at www.familypromisescv.org.