With the all too common issue of homelessness in the Dayton area, student Laura Estandia decided it was time for UD students to help.

This urge, created during a political science class project, sparked an idea of how to make giving back to the homeless appealing to students: UD Winter Olympics for the Homeless. The two primary purposes for the event are to raise awareness about the homeless situation in Dayton and get the word out about how easy it is to help.

"What we found [in class] was that while many students are aware that if you go to the corner of Brown and Stewart Street, there is a good chance you might see a homeless person there," Estandia said. "What students are not aware of is how they can help the homeless by volunteering at local shelters that are less than five minutes away from campus."

Winter Olympics for the Homeless will take place Feb. 20 in the ground floor meeting room in VWK and Stuart Field if the weather permits. Some games that will take place that day include a snowman building competition, dodge ball and a memory quiz. Grad student Rob Brodrick, who made a Marianist pledge upon his graduation from UD's undergraduate program, will be explaining his approach to the homeless as well.

Students can sign up in groups of six in Kennedy Union for an $18 fee. They may also register by e-mailing udwoh10@gmail.com.

The groups have two weeks after signups to gather monetary, clothing, food or toiletry donations. Those donations may be brought to the event itself or can be dropped off at 226 L St. throughout the process.

Donations will be tallied on a point system. Those with the most points will get a prize the day the event takes place, but will also receive extra points toward winning the overall event the 20th.

All donations and funds raised by this event will benefit and go to the St. Vincent de Paul Hotel, a shelter five minutes away from UD. Providing shelter and meals for the homeless, the hotel requires the occupants to have a job or at least looking for one. While the shelter houses men, women and families, the population of the homeless has grown at such a rate that another shelter has been created for men. The shelter also houses 60 to 80 children a night.