DES MOINES, Iowa — Saturday night marked the 20th annual Reggie’s Sleepout, honoring the life of Reggie Kelsey who took his life after being phased out of foster care without any resources.

Kelsey was kicked out of foster care in 2000 at the age of 17. He bounced around shelters, some nights sleeping on the streets. On May 28, 2001, at the age of 18, Reggie’s body was found in the Des Moines River. An investigation concluded that Reggie’s death was a suicide.

Since then, YSS (Youth and Shelter Services) formed the Iowa Aftercare Services Network and the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers. In 2005, IHYC started Reggie’s Sleepout in honor of Reggie and to raise awareness and funds to help kids being phased out of foster care.

This years event featured over 80 people sleeping out, including WHO 13’s Skyler Stamps. The feels like temperature dipped to 31 degrees and afternoon rained turned to ice throughout the night. Rain or shine, the event is held.

“We hold this event for in honor of Reggie,” said Austin Neal, IHYC Community Events Coordinator. “But also to raise awareness for youth homelessness in Des Moines and raise funds for what we’re doing.”

YSS President and CEO Andrew Allen said that this is the most important Reggie’s Sleepout yet, as demand continues to rise.

“This is the most consequential Reggie’s Sleepout ever because we know that youth homelessness is up in Polk County,” Allen said. “We know that young people are suffering and they need connection, and so that’s what Iowa Homeless Youth Centers is doing, is we’re trying to be a place where we not just create hope and opportunity, but young people are safe.”

In the Des Moines Public School District, a staggered amount of kids are classified as homeless.

“There’s about 750 families that are classified homeless,” Neal said. “Last year we served 650 kids, (age) 18 to 24, and served 10,000 meals. So the need is here is prevalent and it’s only growing.”

It was a record breaking year with over $212,000 raised to fight against youth homelessness and those phasing out of the foster care system. Donations are still being accepted, to learn more about the event or to make a donation, click here.