The men of Sigma Phi Epsilon and their dates recently gathered to celebrate the end of a long week of doing good in the community for their first-ever Burning Heart Ball on Friday at The Switchyard in Hattiesburg.
The week consisted of four days of philanthropy events that aided in raising money for Extra Table. The final day ended with a ball that was filled with music, dancing and fun as participants could be spotted taking pictures, singing and having a good time.
“The Burning Heart Ball was a time to relax and have a good time after a week of engaging in what it means to be a Sig Ep,” said Braxton Ruddock, the vice president of programming at Sigma Phi Epsilon and director of the week-long event.
Monday consisted of a profit share at Hattiesburg’s local taco shop, Fuzzy’s, where participants mentioned that they were there in support of Sig Ep and part of the money spent would be given to Extra Table. Tuesday was the Burning Heart Bake Sale where cookies were sold in front of the University of Southern Mississippi’s campus library. Students walking by could purchase a cookie for $3 to aid in raising money. Wednesday was Subs with Sig Eps where participants purchased subs at the Sig Ep house. Thursday evening was the Burning Heart Cornhole Tournament where different fraternities and sororities donated $50 to Extra Table to enter a team to compete, and winners were awarded with certificates.
To end it all off was the Burning Heart Ball on Friday evening. Ruddock claims that not only was the week about raising money for Extra Table, but raised awareness for Extra Table, by engaging with the community about what Extra Table is and how they can help. Ruddock says that they “spoke to students as they were walking by,” educating them on what this week is and why they are doing it.
Throughout all the events, Sig Ep was able to bring awareness to Extra Table and the purpose behind the foundation. Hunter Simmons, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, says that not only was Sig Ep able to advertise for Extra Table, but also raise enough money to feed “thousands of hungry Mississippians.” The Extra Table foundation is a local non-profit organization in Hattiesburg which Sig Ep has partnered with for many years.
Simmons says that this was the “first philanthropy week in the history of the chapter that benefited our philanthropic partner Extra Table,” and that this is something they plan to continue throughout the next years. After a full week of activities, Sig Ep was able to celebrate its efforts to raise money and announce the total amount of $1,150 raised, at the Burning Heart Ball.