What do fraternity members, grass, cardboard boxes and Habitat for Humanity have in common? They are all part of Alpha Tao Omega’s second annual “Shacking for the Homeless.”

Sean Crow, philanthropy chair for the house, said members will be “sitting in the lawn basically being homeless” from Tuesday until Thursday trying to raise $1500 for Story County Habitat for Humanity

In addition to spending their free time on sorority house lawns, members will sleep in boxes overnight, Crow said.

“My feet will probably hang out [of the box], but it’s all right,” said Christopher Robson, freshman in psychology.

The ATOs braved the chance of rain last night, said Frank Bosa, of the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

“If it rains, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Robson said.

ATO President James Shaw said all brothers will participate. When they aren’t in class, they should be on the lawn, Shaw said.

Robson said sorority members and people walking by the houses donate money to the cause.

“The girls get into it and have some fun,” Crow said.

Shaw and Timothy Schowalter, freshman in art and design, began their homeless life at noon Tuesday on the lawn of Alpha Delta Pi. In under an hour, they estimated donations at a little over a dollar in change.

“Every little bit helps,” said Shaw, junior in psychology.