Local

Executives spend night on cardboard to raise money for homeless teens

CENTRAL FLORIDA — A group of central Florida executives are sleeping outside on cardboard to raise money and awareness for homeless teens as part of a nationwide effort.

Hundreds across the country are doing the same thing.

Thursday night, while they laid on cardboard in the middle of a basketball court, it rained and it was chilly, but that's part of what homeless teens deal with.

"I think it's exactly what the teens have to face when they are homeless and have no place to go," said district Rep. Linda Stewart.

One representative told WFTV reporter Deneige Broom that they had several teens asking for blankets.

Covenant House in Orlando gives about 24 teens a place to stay, and said there's a waiting list of about 50 teens who call almost daily hoping a spot has opened up.

"We have the luxury to sleep out one night, but homeless children sleep out regardless of the weather," said Stewart.
Covenant House said it nationally raised $3 million last year with the sleep out.