Drenched In Rain, Westborough Homeless Fundraiser Nets $20K

WESTBOROUGH, MA — An annual fundraiser for the homeless in Westborough raised more than $20,000 this year after volunteers braved a night sleeping in pouring rain and freezing temperatures.

This year's event on March 2 included four volunteers who spent 24 hours living outdoors. They collected donations for this year's beneficiary — Horizons for Homeless Children, a Boston-based nonprofit working with homeless families across Massachusetts — and generally raised awareness about the harsh conditions faced by homeless residents, including kids.

"The pouring rain made it a difficult evening. You couldn't stay dry, even with full rain gear on, the cold water just ran down your neck and soaked your clothes. But at the end of the 24 hours, we were fortunate enough to go home and dry off while homeless people sadly have to do it all over again," said John Bogaert, the founder of the annual fundraiser, which usually takes place at Colonial Plaza along East Main Street.

Joining Bogaert this year during the overnight hours were volunteers Eric Hammond and Scott Henderson. Maggie Hanlon, a Westborough High School senior and leader of the school's Westborough Helps The Homeless Club, also volunteered at the event with other WHS students.

Including 2024, the annual event has raised a total of $90,000 over four years. The 2023 event raised over $20,000 for Abby's House in Worcester. The Mass Coalition For the Homeless was a beneficiary before that.

Tara Spalding, the chief of advancement and strategic partnerships for Horizons for Homeless Children, said families experiencing homelessness face incredible challenges on top of being without shelter. The Westborough event will help provide some relief, she said.

"Families are unique because they typically live in shelters, spaces which are not conducive to the optimal development of young children. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support Horizons work to mitigate the negative effects of homelessness across Massachusetts," Spalding said.

According to state data, there were over 25,200 homeless students in kindergarten through 12th grade during the 2022-23 school year. A majority of those students were doubled-up housing, also known as couch-surfing. More than 6,400 were living in non-hotel shelters.