Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternities will host their annual philanthropy events this weekend.
On Friday April 25, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) will host its annual Charity Bowl. As part of the event, SAE will host a sorority cheer competition Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Payne Center. The Charity Bowl will take place at the Rock at 5 p.m. In 2014, SAE will be competing against Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The Charity Bowl will benefit the Abby Rogers Civitan Camp, a local summer camp held for children and adults with disabilities.
“We’ve been involved with the Civitan Camp since the beginning of Charity Bowl, 16 years ago,” said SAE Philanthropy Chair Blake Coco. “One of our prominent alumni, Bobby Banks, was involved with the Civitan Camp during his years as an active in the ‘70s and the event has evolved since then.”
Coco said SAE changed a few details of the event this year in order to increase involvement and awareness of their philanthropy.
“This year is very special and we have worked very hard to encourage the Greek community to become involved in our philanthropy event,” Coco said. “First, we have added a draft system that allows for Greek Life members to enter a combine and be drafted by both SAE and the highest bidding team, this year Sig Ep. This year 10 members in total were drafted, with five on each team.”
The fraternity also hosted a miniature Charity Bowl camp for the Civitan Camp campers April 13.
“Along with the draft we have installed a charity bowl mini camp for the campers of the Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp,” Coco said. “These are adults and children with disabilities who attend the Civitan Camp each summer. We believe that in addition to our financial donation, we are responsible for donating our time and care for these children who mean so much. This year showed me firsthand, that sometimes we think our problems are so big, yet we are so blessed to have our outlook on life.”
“We hope that everyone can attend our event and reach out to the Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp,” Coco said.
On Saturday, April 26 the men of Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) will host their annual philanthropy event, the ATO Crawfish Boil, which for the first time will benefit the Karen T. Stall Research and Breast Institute.
The institute was founded to raise awareness of a new early breast cancer detection technology called 3D tomosynthesis.
Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, there will be 10,000 pounds of crawfish, potatoes and corn, as well as hotdogs and hamburgers. There will also be a volleyball competition for sorority women. All events will take place at the ATO house.
“It’s going to be really cool this year,” said ATO Crawfish Boil Chair, Matt Balcer. “We have a lot of stores and businesses from Hattiesburg that are coming out to promote and benefit the event as well. It’s a great cause, and who doesn’t love crawfish?”
