By Katie Hoffman, Student Reporter
Social Clubs are beginning the fundraising season not only to fund their own personal activities, but also for the benefit of non-profit organizations.
Sigma Theta Chi sponsored a Pilates class Sept. 27 to raise money for breast cancer research, while Alpha Kai Omega’s candy sales and Frater Sodalis’ annual haunted house will both start in the next few weeks.
Gamma Sigma Phi also is actively engaged in fundraising efforts.
Eric Gentry, president of Gamma Sigma Phi, Brad Miller and Conner Holstead, service activities coordinators, said GSP is a service leader in the ACU community. Every other year the members sponsor a service project. Last year, the club had a fundraiser for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation to help the cause of Mark Phillips, a faculty member whose son suffers from this brittle bone disease. Working as a team, they mailed letters and emails asking for people to sponsor the club members as they played volleyball for eight hours straight at the end of the year. GSP raised $16,200 for the cause.
Although this year is not a year for a large-scale fundraiser for GSP, some provisional members are traveling to a church plant in Odessa that is meeting in a country club and needs work. The project, like all their activities, will encourage friendship among the members while helping a cause bigger than the club or even ACU.
Gentry said club service is not an administrative mandate, yet these young men of God choose to serve “because [they] think it is an important part of being a Christian brotherhood;” service learning and leadership always will be a part of this club’s holistic experience.
Galaxy also is dedicated to service and it too strives to impact the lives and hearts of the community through fundraisers that provide huge monetary support to individuals. Galaxy sponsored the Kirk Goodwin 5k Run every year since 1982 as a means of raising money to provide scholarships to students and their families who, due to medical bills, have trouble negotiating college tuition.
Luke Cochran, Kirk Goodwin run director for Galaxy, said the run is open to all students, faculty, staff and even Abilenians. Last year the club raised $11,000 for a student who could not remain in school without monetary help after the student’s mom passed away. Although the run started in 1982 out of remembrance and dedication to Kirk Goodwin, a first-year pledge who had died tragically in a car accident while driving home to Dallas, the club continues the legacy thanks to the support of his family, who still remain involved. For the last three years, the family attended the run. Taylor Sturgis, president of Galaxy, said both club and family are thankful for each other’s support.
The fundraising run begins in front of the Administration Building and snakes through the surrounding neighborhoods. Entry for the race costs $10, which includes the popular T-shirt.
Last year’s turnout was around 300 people. Although this year’s run is still in the planning stages, the club is mailing contact letters to alumni and local and national businesses, asking for donations for prizes and scholarships. The event probably will take place April 4, but the date is subject to change.
Contact Hoffman at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
