November 27, 2002 — University of Utah premedical students will be braving the elements and spending the entire night outside in a symbolic gesture of support for the homeless of Salt Lake City.

The U’s PreMed AMSA (American Medical Student Association) will sponsor the first annual “Cure For The Cold,” which will begin at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, and continue through 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. The premed students, stationed at the top of the U’s Presidents Circle, will spend the night outside accepting donations of cash, canned and non-perishable food items and winter wear-coats, hats, gloves, mittens and blankets-that will be delivered to various agencies in Salt Lake City.

Andy Davies, the “Cure For The Cold” campaign chair, says the purpose of the project is to raise awareness of homeless issues and to provide a unique opportunity for U students, faculty, staff, local businesses and the greater community to make a meaningful contribution to Salt Lake’s homeless population.

All canned goods and other non-perishable food items will be delivered to the Utah Food Bank. The collected winter clothing and blankets will be distributed to the Salt Lake Rescue Mission and Road Home. All money raised will be donated to the Fourth Street Clinic to help support the health care needs of Utah’s homeless.

Says Davies, “We are soliciting support from the community and their participation in augmenting the donations we receive for the homeless that night. It’s our hope we can find a way to make winter less cold for homeless people in Utah this year.”

More information on the “Cure For The Cold” project may be obtained by calling 801-556-0587.