Business Fraternity Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) is teaming up with fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) to host a dodge ball tournament, Dodging Depression, on Sunday to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The idea came after wanting to raise money for charity and the suicide of an SAE member’s mother last year.

The two groups were originally going to host fundraisers independently, but decided to work together after realizing their common goal.

“DSP wanted to do a fundraiser, and we wanted to increase service participation,” said junior Sam Richter, philanthropy chair for SAE. “DSP was still in the preliminary stages of planning but we knew what we wanted to do. We just hadn’t done it yet. And dodge ball tied into the idea of dodging depression, as related to suicide.”

At first DSP was considering fundraising for the Children’s Center on the Delmar Loop, according to DSP president, junior Lindsey Glantz. She realized, however, that DSP could collaborate with SAE.

Richter added that by collaborating they could raise more money, have more volunteers and attract more participants than if the event had been strictly Greek-sponsored.

“We could combine forces and get maximum Washington University participation,” he said. “The more hands you have working on the project, the better it can be.”

So far, 25 teams of 10 have registered, including 14 freshman floor teams. At $30 per team, plus outside donations, the event has raised more than $1,000 already and hopes to pass the 300-person, $2,000 mark.

“I like to think big,” said Glantz.

Jimmy John’s and Domino’s Pizza have also agreed to donate food for the event and Casadilla is donating gift certificates which will be distributed to the tournament winners.

DSP member, senior Andrew Mascarenhas, said he is looking forward to the event.

“We’ve been trying to branch out to the rest of the campus,” he said. “The dodge ball tournament is a good idea. We want to be more active on campus.”

SAE is co-hosting this tournament in addition to its annual Point Out Hunger fundraiser earlier this year, which helps support Operation Food Search.

“Every fall we do a philanthropy event,” said Richter. “We knew we wanted to do some other kind of event. We put two and two together and came up with this. It’s something that could raise awareness and serve as a memorial.”

All proceeds from Dodging Depression will go to the general AFSP fund. AFSP, founded in 1987, is the only national not-for-profit organization dealing exclusively with suicide prevention.

“The topic is very relevant,” said Richter. “If you raise $500 or if you raise $5,000, if you’re doing it for a good cause I think it’s important and any amount is significant.”

The bracket-style tournament will be held on the Swamp from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, although registration is currently closed. DSP and SAE intend to make the dodge ball tournament an annual event, depending on this year’s success.

Popularity: 1% [?]

 Print This Post

This entry was posted on Friday, November 10th, 2006 at 12:00 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.