Daybreak’s Greater Macon Sleepout raises more than $326,000

Daybreak Macon announced Tuesday on Facebook the amount surpassed its original goal and thanked the community for making this possible.

UPDATE (3/19) – The 11th annual Greater Macon Sleepout raised $326,909, which was above the goal of $295,000.

Daybreak Macon announced Tuesday on Facebook the amount surpassed its original goal and thanked the community for making this possible.

ORIGINAL STORY (2/28):

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The 11th annual Macon Sleepout is set to take place on Thursday night, rain or shine. More than 100 people are expected to participate, spending the night outside alongside some of the homeless population to show solidarity and unity.

The Macon Sleepout is not just about the experience of sleeping outside for one night. It is a major fundraiser for the Daybreak Center and aims to raise awareness of the struggles homeless individuals face on a daily basis. Right now, the center has raised more than $265,000, just shy of its $295,000 goal.

The Sleepout is a critical part of Daybreak’s budget, supporting a third of its funding.

A look back at least year’s event

According to the U.S. Department of Urban Planning and Development, the number of homeless people in America increased by 12 percent last year. The high cost of living has pushed many individuals into shelters and onto the streets, making the efforts of the Daybreak Center and the Macon Sleepout even more important.

Volunteers and first-time participants are excited to show their support for the homeless community. One volunteer we spoke with mentioned that the Sleepout is a big show of unity, bringing people together who don’t know each other.

“It’s also a time when the making community comes together and tells our brothers and sisters our homelessness,” Sister Theresa Sullivan with Daybreak said. “We care. We want to be here for you.”

The Macon Sleepout event begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at 174 Walnut Street. Participants will sleep at Carolyn Crayton Park. Here’s the full schedule:

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

8 a.m.                   Online registration

4 p.m.                   Volunteer registration

4:30 p.m.             Volunteers training

5:30 p.m.             Registration

6:30 p.m.             Dinner (Grace to be said by Deacon Reginald Russell)

7:30 p.m.             Program

8:30 p.m.             Go to tents/singing by campfire

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

6 a.m.                   Staff up and ready to go; a.m. volunteers arrive

6-6:30 a.m.         Wake up

6:30 a.m.             Coffee available; Mike Seekins and Z Beans to bring coffee/food

7-8:30 a.m.         Breakfast

7 a.m.                   Grace and announcement of number of people at the 2024 Sleepout (estimate)

11 a.m.                 Daybreak close