ATO has new fund raiser for Habitat
Aug. 25, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- The Brothers of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Western Michigan University are raising more money for WMU's centennial Habitat house with their second mid-campus marathon this year.
For 24 hours, from noon Wednesday, Aug. 27, through noon Thursday, Aug. 28, fraternity members and friends will participate in a "Couch Potato Camp Out" on couches and stuffed chairs near the flag poles at the center of the West Campus. Joining ATO will be members of two sororities, Alpha Omicron Pi and Delta Zeta, and several of the 2003 Bronco Ambassadors.
Money raised will go toward a Habitat house to be built by WMU students as part of the 2003 celebration of the University's centennial. According to Justin M. De Graaf, ATO chapter president, the goal is to raise $2,400 during this week's event.
"We deliberately scheduled it during Bronco Bash," says De Graaf. "We expect a lot of pedestrian traffic through campus Wednesday afternoon and evening because of Bronco Bash. We hope we'll be able to attract people and get them to support Habitat."
Bronco Bash, an annual event welcoming students back to campus, is Wednesday from 3 to 10 p.m. in the Fountain Plaza near Miller Auditorium. It is expected to attract 25,000 students and other members of the campus community.
In February, ATO members braved the two coldest days and nights of the winter in a "Campus Camp Out" at the same location that raised more than $4,400 for the WMU Habitat project.
For the centennial Habitat house project, WMU students are working with the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity through their campus chapter of the organization.
Those wishing to make contributions by check should make checks payable to Habitat for Humanity and write "WMU Centennial House" on the check. Contributions may be mailed to Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, 525 East Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo MI 49007-3811.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu