The 9th annual Box City event brought families from across the Santa Clarita Valley together Saturday in an effort to raise awareness of homelessness in the community.

Hosted by Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley, Box City is designed to raise awareness about the many homeless families in Santa Clarita and raise money to support Family Promise, according to Executive Director Roché Vermaak.

“We have teenagers, adults and children sign up,” Vermaak said. “They sleep over for the night in a box, and that way they simulate what it means to be homeless and bring awareness that there is homelessness of families in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

Event participants set a goal to raise $100 in pledges and contributions, and slept overnight in a cardboard box.

Dennis Ramirez and his daughter, Ireland, have participated in the Box City event for the past three years.

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“We love what it stands for and just the experience of what the homeless community goes through in daily life,” Dennis said. “We’re tired and exhausted and cold. I can’t imagine someone doing this every day.”

This year, the two decided to build a two-story castle out of boxes after winning second place for architecture last year for their box teepee.

“It was hard, but it was the only thing I could really think of that wouldn’t be too big or too small,” said Ireland, who came up with the idea for the castle. “I thought, ‘Third year’s the charm.’”

The event, held at Valencia Heritage Park, also featured several bands, activities and entertainment geared towards families, as well as free food for the participants.

“From work, to homelessness, to hope, that’s what Family Promise does,” Vermaak said. “That’s what Box City is all about, giving people hope that there is an answer to homelessness in this valley.”

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