Kappa Sigma hosted its annual Margaritaville philanthropic event to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation at Optimist Park on the night of April 22.
The Fisher House Foundation helps military families who need access to medical care.
According to its website, The Fisher House Foundation “is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.”
According to Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Chairman Derrek Wale, Margaritaville is a philanthropy event held annually to raise money for the foundation.
“We host an event every year that we raise money for Fisher House Foundation [which ultimately] goes towards veterans and their families,” Wale said.
This year the event took the form of a baseball game, one which Kappa Sigma played against Pi Kappa Phi. The event was played through seven innings, ending with a score of 8-3 with Pi Kappa Phi coming out on top.
The announcers entertained the audience with jokes and commentary throughout the night.
The two fraternities displayed athleticism and sportsmanship throughout the game. Additionally the night featured relays in which members from sororities would race between innings.
While the game provided fun and entertainment, it was not lost on those involved why they were out there. Kappa Sigma President Philip LeMere said winning and losing was not the priority of the night but rather the cause they played for.
“We didn’t come out here just to win—we came out here to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation,” LeMere said after the game.
The players on the field for Pi Kappa Phi enjoyed such a strong performance.
“We feel great. An 8-3 win, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Chris Addison, third baseman on the Kappa Sigma team. “We got solid hits, solid base running, except for one minor error, but we were already up by five so it didn’t really cost us.”
Addison said he and his teammates were happy to play for such a good cause.
“I’m just glad Kappa Sigma gave us the chance to do it,” Addison said. “[We love] to get out here and play baseball, whether it’s for charity or not. [I am] glad we could help them raise money.”
The totals raised were a substantial amount and a big success, according to LeMere, who said the fraternity raised more than $5,000 for the Fisher House Foundation.
More information on the Fisher House Foundation can be found on their website, and the next Kappa Sigma philanthropy event will be held in October.
