Frigid fund-raiser supports Habitat for Humanity
Jan. 2, 2004
KALAMAZOO--The Brothers of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Western Michigan University will brave two frosty days and two frigid nights of Michigan winter weather in hopes of raising $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity.
Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6, at noon and continuing for 48 hours through noon Thursday, Jan. 8, members of the fraternity will hold a "Campus Camp Out" at the flag poles near the Lee Honors College at the center of the WMU main campus. They are accepting contributions for Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity. Forecasts call for temperatures below freezing throughout the camp out, with overnight lows near zero.
ATO's Campus Camp Out one year ago was held during two of the coldest nights of 2003, with temperatures hovering around zero throughout the 48-hour marathon. The fund-raising effort got a big boost when several area television and radio stations did live interviews with the chilly campers.
The January 2003 camp out raised $4,485. The fraternity hopes to more than double that total this year and began lining up sponsors and accepting contributions at the beginning of December. Sponsors contributed about one-half of the total raised one year ago, according to Justin DeGraaf, chapter public relations chair.
Contributions by check or money order should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity. Donations may be given to ATO members during the Campus Camp Out or 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