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Fraternity campout raises funds for Habitat for Humanity

Feb. 20, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Members of Western Michigan University's Alpha Tau Omega fraternity will be camping out for 48 consecutive hours to raise funds for Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 24-26.

Just a couple of tents by the West Campus Promenade flag poles will shelter about 50 students, who will be camping in shifts during their marathon bid to raise $5,000 to help build a Habitat home in Kalamazoo this year.

The public is invited to stop by the camp site, situated just west of the Bernhard Center, and make a donation as well as visit with the campers and learn more about Habitat for Humanity.

"We want to give back to the Kalamazoo community," says James Kremer, campout coordinator and the fraternity's philanthropy committee chair. "We also want to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing and the work Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity is doing."

WMU'S ATO chapter started the Campus Campout in 2003 to raise funds to support the hands-on volunteer efforts of its members and other WMU students who work with Habitat for Humanity. The three undergraduates, now WMU alumni, who founded the event said the Christian principles that the fraternity and Habitat share seemed a good match and establishing the fund-raiser would honor the fraternity's creed to "build better men and a better world."

Donations also may be made on behalf of the ATO fraternity online by credit card at habitatkalamazoo.org ("ATO" or "Campout" should be entered in the appropriate box). Checks made payable to Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity with ATO in the memo space may be mailed to Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, 525 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo MI 49007, or to Alpha Tau Omega, 1402 Fraternity Village Drive, Apt. A5, Kalamazoo MI 49008.

Visit WMU fraternity and sorority life online to obtain contact information for Alpha Tau Omega. For more information about Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, visit habitatkalamazoo.org or call (269) 344-2443.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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