First it was hot and sticky, and then it poured.

And after living in their cars for 24 hours last summer as part of the YWCA’s No Fixed Address fundraiser, the Brock women’s basketball team learned just how difficult some people have it.

“It was an eye-opener that this is what life is like for a lot of people in this community,” said coach Ashley MacSporran, who had just started her tenure at Brock last year when the No Fixed Address event was held.

“Last year was last-minute. We were doing our camp the same week so we finished camp and ran right over there,” she said.

To increase their involvement in the YWCA fundraiser, which sees people living in their vehicles in the Pen Centre parking lot for 24 hours, the women’s team is holding a basketball clinic from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11.

It was an eye-opener that this is what life is like for a lot of people in this community 

This year marks the seventh annual No Fixed Address event, which has raised more than $264,000 for the YWCA. It runs from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday.

“We’re excited to do something bigger and better this year,” said MacSporran. “For a lot of our young women who were a part of it last year, it was a great learning experience. Hopefully we can partner with the YWCA throughout the year on more events.”

MacSporran was the July ambassador for the City of St. Catharines’ #CompassionateSTC campaign, which saw the women’s basketball team invite a group of special needs youth to their basketball camp at Brock.

The team will continue its community outreach throughout the year by getting involved with a different organization each month. The players themselves will each get to pick an effort to get behind.

In September, the Badgers will spend a Sunday volunteering at the Lincoln County Humane Society.

“We’ll get a vast experience every month by doing something different and it will help the girls with leadership skills because it’s not always coach-led. The girls are picking something they’re passionate about,” MacSporran said.