BRATTLEBORO — On Friday, May 17, Groundworks Collaborative will host the seventh annual Camp for a Common Cause on the Brattleboro Common.
Brattleboro's Seasonal Overflow Shelter closed for the season on April 29.
“This community remains without a permanent home for the Shelter next season, which makes this community campout all the more poignant,” Groundworks' Executive Director Josh Davis said in a news release.
This year's event will feature a family-friendly community barbecue with live music from VT Shakedown starting at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the barbecue will be for sale at the event and can be purchased in advance at GroundworksVT.org.
All are welcome to attend the barbecue and concert ($10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger).
“The goal is to fill the Common with tents as a reminder that on any given night when the SOS is not open, 35 to 40 people may be camping out in our community,” said Groundworks' Director of Operations Rhianna Kendrick, “and we hope to raise $25,000 while doing so.”
“It doesn't cost anything to camp, but we do ask campers to raise as much as they can to support our work,” said Groundworks Development Director Libby Bennett. “For every $500 we raise, we'll be putting up a tent to be donated to a client in need.
Participating campers are asked to fundraise to help house their neighbors experiencing homelessness. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Campers may begin setting up tents on the Common starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17, and are asked to pack up by 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, after a light breakfast.