Reporter Volume 25, No.26 April 28, 1994

By CAITLIN KELLY
News Bureau Staff
More than 60 UB students spent last Friday night sleeping in cardboard
boxes in Founders Plaza to raise money and awareness for Buffalo's
homeless.
	The students were taking part in the student-run Community
Action Corps annual Night Out! benefit for Friends of the Night
People, a soup kitchen in Buffalo's Allentown district. This year, CAC
raised $1400.
	 "We're fighting a warQa war on poverty," said Les Barnes,
deputy director of Friends of the Night People. "Until we get more
people like the kids at CAC involved, it'll never be won."
	As temperatures dropped into the 30s, students danced, sang,
waved at TV cameras, played games, ate pizza, and rollerbladed.
	"We're really glad to be here. We've been coming for the past
five years. We're happy to support a good cause," said Chao Yang Cai,
president of the Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity.
	Aaron Snyderman, CAC executive director-elect, stressed the
importance of Greek organizations for the success of the event..
"Fraternities and sororities raise so much money for this event. They
come every year."
	The CAC puts themselves into the shoes of the homeless for the
night, hoping that the demonstration would have the impact of raising
awareness as well as money.
	We want people to go away with an impression that leads to
action," says Mary Edwards, CAC executive director.
	The event did leave an impression. 
	"We're cold, but we can just go inside. If a homeless person
goes inside, they get kicked out," said student, Jennifer DeCrory.
"When this is over we can go home to our beds. For them, there's no
end," she added.
	Patty Farver, a freshman, has been a volunteer for years. Her
move from rural Mayville in Chautauqua County to Buffalo, has inspired
her to get involved with CAC to help the homeless.
	"Some people think it's weird that I give money (to homeless
people). But I want to helpQThey're just people."
	CAC is a grassroots, student-run organization that places more
than 200 volunteers each year in Buffalo area hospitals, schools,
counseling centers, homeless shelters, and tutoring programs, to name
a few.
	Members agree that volunteering is beneficial for all
involved. Students can gain experience in their fields of study while
achieving the satisfaction of helping the community.
	"The people who have gotten involved are so happy they
didQthey realize it takes no time at all. You give a lot and you get
back a lot," says Edwards.
	Les Barnes stressed the importance of CAC volunteers to his
organization and the community.
	"The CAC is a good group because they promote awareness of
poverty issues. They are one dedicated group of kids."
	"People want to get involved. If they seem apathetic it's
because they don't think there's stuff to do," says Snyderman, who
plans on actively recruiting new members next year.
	"There are so many things available!" says CAC Publicity
Director-Elect, Kasey Nye, "UB is an awesome place to go to school!"
	Anyone interested in volunteering through the Community Action
Corps, may contact the office located in 370 Student Union, 645-2375.