Gamma Sigma Phi has collected the necessary funds, through fundraising and donations, to build a house through Habitat for Humanity for a local family.
Some say it runs in the family, others that it’s all a part of the kinship. Whichever you prefer, the men of Gamma Sigma Phi share a heart of service that runs deep.
Last spring a pledge was made that the club would raise $20,000 to donate to a community service organization Habitat for Humanity.
Although the total came up a few thousand dollars short during the 68 hour volleyball tournament, last year’s senior activities coordinator Matt Sanderson was determined fulfill the goal set out.
“After the actual game, we had raised nearly $16,000, which was great and we were very excited about it,” Sanderson said, “but we had committed 20.”
The proposal for the last bit of donations was made from one Sibling Father to another.
The offer, made to Chad Baker, senior vice president of commercial real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle and former Sibling Father, was all it took to bring GSP to their desired goal.
“Matt came to us this summer as an employee, shared his vision and we loved it,” said Baker. “We wanted to be able to help in any way we could.”
Sanderson approached Baker this summer in the efforts of finding the $2,400 to send the donations over the edge.
“We didn’t know it was the final amount he needed,” Baker said.
Sanderson even offered to donate the final amount from his personal paycheck in order to reach the goal.
J.L.L. decided to match the donation made by Sanderson and together the two compiled enough money for the house to finally be finished.
After months of fundraising, planning and building, a local family will receive a home donated by the Habitat for Humanity organization, through the funding of GSP.
In November, the Nieto family will finally be able to have a place to call home.
Sanderson said the members of GSP receive the same reward as the Nieto family does.
“This really unites the club,” he said. “It gets everyone on the same page, working for one cause.”
