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Printer-Friendly ModeSigma Pi teams with Army for BoV fundraiser
October 22, 2007 —
Some wounded soldiers come home from Iraq and are stuck in hospitals, far from their homes. Their families can't always afford flying out to be with them and to live in a hotel for long periods of time.
This year, Sigma Pi will team up with the United States Army to help those soldiers and their families by bringing Tailgating for Troops, a Battle of the Valley's fundrasing event.
Sigma Pi president Andrew Dowis came up with the idea this year as a way to give back to the injured soldiers who serve our country. "I didn't want to see the same thing every year, the same monotonous events," Dowis said. "This idea is a good way for the community to come together whether they're for or against the war; many people can relate."
Sophomore Tom Alte took on the planning duties.
"Our goal over the semester is to raise $2,000 for the Wounded and Fallen Soldiers fund," Alte said. "We hope to meet our goal during this event."
The event will take place on Nov. 3 before the Battle of the Valleys game during tailgating. It will give students the chance to buy tickets allowing them to play games, run an obstacle course and climb a rock wall the army will bring. They will also have the opportunity to win prizes such as t-shirts and key chains. There will also be sit-up and push-up competitions.
Sigma Pi hopes that the 25 foot rock climbing wall the army is bringing in will be an attention getter for people to come see what their event is about and join the excitement. They are also planning on adding more games and events as the Battle of the Valleys comes closer.
Money raised from the ticket sales will go to the Wounded and Fallen Soldiers fund which will pay medical fees for families that can't afford as they visit their loved ones in hospitals. Alte explained that many families are left looking for places to stay as they travel across the country to be with their injured relatives.
GVSU's chapter of Sigma Pi will also join the event. They will travel from Allendale to compete with SVSU's chapter in a touch football game that same morning. The touch football game is an ongoing tradition since the start of Grand Valley's chapter and will continue in the future,
"We'd like everyone to get involved in this great cause," Alte said. "It also brings the campus together."