Group chooses to live on the streets for a cause

Four people are sleeping on the streets of Monterey working to raise 100,000 dollars for local and global causes. Friday marked day two of the event for them.

The project is called love wins and the organization doing it is called The Change a Heart Foundation. The money they hope to raise will go to a range of causes and they’ll stay on the street until they reach their goal.

Todd Sondgroth and his three friends are homeless, at least for now. They’re learning to survive on the streets with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing and what they’re able to fit in their pockets.

“If we don’t do something this extreme to where we’re putting our lives at risk, little kids will die,” Sondgroth said.

Sondgroth is the executive director of The Change a Heart Foundation. The organization works year-round to raise money for those affected by disaster in the U.S. and helping international causes.

“We’re going to stay out as long as we can and if we beat our individual goals, we can literally go home,” Sondgroth said.

Until then, the group will be sleeping in places like parks.

“Last night was just a whole other level,” Sydney James, one of the participants said, “It was freezing we were getting rained on, we were scared, I think it gave me a whole new empathy for people that don’t have anywhere to live.”

Throughout the experience, the four have had their phones with them to keep track of the support and money coming in for the cause.

“Via our social media accounts or text messaging,” Sondgroth said, “We’re going to try to be educating people.”

Making the experience even more challenging, the four are fasting. Still, they say there are no regrets.

“I just want to know that what we’re doing is not in vain,” Egardo Pastora said.

The Change a Heart Foundation is behind a number of causes. To find out more about them you can click here. You can also donate to the Love Wins project there or by texting LOVEWINS to 797979.