BEDFORD, Pa. – The thought of camping outside on a frigid November night might not sound appealing to most people, but for Colonial Courtyard at Bedford LifeStages Director Tyler Mizak, the cold was a small price to pay for a big cause.
With overnight temperatures hovering in the mid-30’s, Mizak raised $1,254 as part of “Sleep Out,” a global effort led by Covenant House, the largest, primarily privately-funded nonprofit in North and Central America working to end youth homelessness.
The idea began with a simple conversation.
“One of our residents mentioned a sleep out to raise money for homeless youth, and after doing some Internet research, I learned that ‘Sleep Out’ events happen all over the country,” Mizak said. “With encouragement from our residents, I decided to give it a try. It was cold, but the support was amazing.”
Mizak set up his tent outside the senior living community at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, and didn’t head back inside until shortly after 7 p.m. the next morning. In those 14 hours, he sparked an impressive wave of generosity – both online and in person. While any donation was welcomed, residents and community members were encouraged by the fact that just $11 can provide two meals for homeless youth in Pennsylvania.
“Our original goal was to raise $250, so we surpassed that mark by more than $1,000,” Mizak said. “Thank you to everyone who helped in so many ways. Spending the night in a tent becomes a little easier when so many people turn out to lend a helping hand.”
He wasn’t alone in spirit – or even in the middle of the night.
“The most memorable part was how the Bedford community kept me up all night dropping off cash, hot drinks and snacks,” Mizak said with a laugh. “A woman even brought me a warm cake at 2:15 a.m. It was also inspiring to join the live participation calls with Covenant House and hear stories from others sleeping out across the country.”
Since 1972, Covenant House has served young people facing homelessness and survivors of trafficking, providing both immediate and long-term support.
The tent was pitched right outside Colonial Courtyard at Bedford, and several of the residents braved the chilly evening to visit.
“Some of them even made cash donations,” Mizak said.
Online encouragement rolled in as well. The Colonial Courtyard at Bedford Facebook page shared a video of Mizak outside his tent, and comments about the fundraising effort poured in:
“Stay warm and dry,” one post advised. “Hope you have a wonderful amount of money donated. Thanks for all you do.”
“Get ‘er done, Tyler,” another person posted.
“Do you have a space heater in there?” asked a curious commenter.
The night might have been cold, but the outpouring of kindness proved that Colonial Courtyard at Bedford’s spirit was anything but. Mizak’s commitment and the community’s generosity demonstrated how even one night outdoors can spark hope, awareness and inspire real change.
For more information, contact Heidi Koontz, Community Relations Director, Colonial Courtyard at Bedford, at [email protected] or call 814.624.0100.
