Students didn’t have time to sleep Saturday night at the Sleep Out for the Homeless event on Turlington Plaza.
They were too busy dancing, sipping hot chocolate, playing Nintendo Wii and collecting donations for the homeless in Gainesville.
The event lasted from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
A disc jockey blasted music varying from rap to Miley Cyrus, and people played video games on television screens that had been set up.
It was hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and co-sponsored by Savant Leadership Honorary and the Freshman Leadership Council.
The fraternity asked for cleaning supplies, winter clothing and toiletries from attendees.
All of the donations will go to Gainesville homeless shelter and soup kitchen St. Francis House.
Fraternity president Brandon White said Alpha Phi Alpha created the event six years ago because former members noticed the large number of homeless people in Gainesville.
“It’s a great way to bring everyone together and create a great situation for students and people in need,” White said.
Kent Vann, the executive director for St. Francis House homeless shelter and soup kitchen, said the event collected about 40 bags of clothing for the shelter, along with toiletries and cleaning supplies.
Members of Gainesville’s homeless community were not the only ones to benefit from Sleep Out for the Homeless.
The fraternity invited members of Hope for Haiti to attend.
All monetary donations were given to Hope for Haiti, and the money will go directly to a Haiti relief fund.
UF freshman Daniela Flores said she donated a few sweaters to the cause.
Flores said she will definitely come to the event next year, as she bowled a spare on Wii Sports bowling.
