COLUMBUS, OH - June 4, 2024 – This past Friday, May 31st, members of The Columbus Wizards, including Team President Casey Gillespie, participated in the Huckleberry House Sleep Out 2024 at The Chase Plaza at Lower.com Field. This annual fundraising event is designed to raise money and awareness for youth homelessness by having participants sleep outside for one night. For Gillespie and many others, the experience was eye-opening and profoundly impactful.
“I went into the experience with a preconceived notion that since I’ve been camping, sleeping outside for one night should be easy, but I was wrong,” said Gillespie. “I made a commitment to be open-minded and really take the experience for what it was intended to be.”
The event began with participants arriving with their sleeping bags and pillows, setting up their spots in the plaza. The night kicked off at 9:30 PM with a program hosted by Matt Barnes from NBC4. Ella Williams, founder of Posh Tea Time, shared her personal story of overcoming challenges with the help of Huckleberry House.
A panel discussion followed, featuring:
•Columbus City Councilwoman Shayla Favor
•Shannon Isom, President & CEO of Community Shelter Board
•Erin Upchurch, Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center
•Jonathan Ross, Youth Outreach Specialist for Huckleberry House
Sonya Thesing, Executive Director of Huckleberry House, emphasized the importance of community in addressing homelessness.
Councilwoman Favor highlighted her legislative efforts and encouraged public engagement in council meetings. Shannon Isom passionately argued for the construction of more homes to combat homelessness. Erin Upchurch addressed the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth, advocating for support and understanding. Jonathan Ross urged attendees to challenge their biases when interacting with homeless youth.
Sleeping outside proved to be a stark and uncomfortable experience for Gillespie and others. The cold, noise, and hard ground resulted in a restless night, providing a glimpse into the hardships homeless youth face daily. Reflecting on the experience, Gillespie chose two words to describe it: perspective and humility.
“The statistics shared during the event were staggering,” said Gillespie. “Over 3,000 young people experience homelessness annually in Franklin County, and LGBTQIA+ youth are 120% more likely to be homeless.”
Huckleberry House plays a vital role in the community, providing over 35,000 nights of shelter and serving 367 youth in outreach programs. They help 92% of their transitional housing clients achieve stable housing.
Gillespie urges everyone to get involved, whether through volunteering or donations. The Sleep Out 2024 fundraiser runs through the end of June. For more information, visit www.huckhouse.org/sleepout.
Media Contact:
Casey Gillespie
Team President, The Columbus Wizards
About The Columbus Wizards:
The Columbus Wizards are a men’s minor league professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association, committed to excellence on and off the court.
About Huckleberry House:
Huckleberry House is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth in crisis through various programs, including emergency shelter, counseling, and outreach. For more information, visit www.huckhouse.org.
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