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Tri-County Times
Next weekend, a Huxley man will sleep outside so a portion of Iowa's youth will have a chance at a brighter future.
Andrew Allen, who is president of the Iowa Homeless Youth Center's Board in Des Moines, will participate in the Third Annual Reggie's Sleepout at Drake University on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The event is named in honor of Reggie Kelsey, a young man who aged out of the foster care system in 2001 and within three and a half months afterward, died in the Des Moines River. As he tried to live off the streets, Reggie interacted with Iowa Homeless Youth Center's outreach staff. After his death, Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. led the effort to develop the Iowa Aftercare Services Network to provide services to those aging out of foster care.
In the previous two years, Allen has raised over $8,000 for the Sleepout. In 2006, the organization had over 600 campers and raised almost $60,000; in 2007, more than 800 volunteers slept in Drake Stadium and they raised over $138,000.
This year's slogan is "Sleep Under the Stars So Kids Can Reach Them." The event's purpose is to raise awareness and money to address the critical issue of youth homelessness in Central Iowa. Allen's goal is to raise $5,000.
The Sleepout will take place at Drake Stadium, 27th Street and Forest, on Friday, Nov. 14. Registration is from 3-7 p.m. and the Sleepout is from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Participants can sleep in a box, pup tent or sleeping bag at the stadium. There will be a box design contest, food, entertainment (including dueling pianos inside the fieldhouse adjacent to the stadium), educational workshops, panel of homeless youth and service providers, free Texas Hold'em poker tournament and movies on topics related to homelessness.
"A dedicated group (10-15 people) of core planning volunteers, more than 100 event-day volunteers, as well as countless community and business partners, are what make this event so successful," Allen said.
If you would like to help support Allen, participate in the Sleepout or view a complete list of events, visit www.reggiessleepout.org.
