Sarah Farmerie
With finals week approaching, several Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity brothers were on main campus for 24 hours straight this week. But they weren’t holed up in the library cramming for a chemistry exam. Instead, they sat in rocking chairs in front of Bowles Plaza, raising over $10,000 for a children’s cancer foundation, according to AEPi President Allan Serviansky.
AEPi members rocked 96 straight hours as part of the fraternity’s Rock and Care event, a fundraiser to collect donations that went to the Children’s Cancer Fund at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Washington University administrators allowed students to donate meal points towards the cause. AEPi members only had to follow one rule: keep at least one rocking chair in motion during the whole event.
“The reason we rock.it draws people to the fact that we’re raising money for a good cause,” said Dennis Owens, a senior AEPi brother.
A four year tradition, AEPi requires two members a day to rock for 24 hours straight. Members rock through rain and nightfall, sometimes as classes fall by the wayside.
“I only have one class to miss, so it’s not a big deal,” said senior Mike Hughes at the beginning of his day-long stint.
Worn-out rockers avoided dozing on the job by watching videos, playing Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstation, reading and, if all else failed, doing homework.
AEPi members also said they enjoyed the chance to catch up with each other.
“It allows us to bond while at the same time raising money for a good cause,” said Owens. “It’s a lot of fun to A) know you’re helping out kids, and B) to sit here and hang out with our brothers.”
If rockers do succumb to an urge to snooze, another brother can help keep the chair moving.
“When you fall asleep, someone has to stand behind and rock them,” said Owens. “Last year I had to do that for like six hours.”