Fraternities raise $10,000 for homeless

Jump-shots were not the only thing hitting their mark at Shooting for a Cause last weekend. Zeta Beta Tau and Phi Delta Theta's goal of raising money and awareness for the homeless was also right on target, according to Adam Miller, head of the five-day philanthropy event. According to ZBT brother Miller, Shooting for a Cause raised at least $10,000 for Dignity Housing and The Employment Project, which provides assistance in finding homes and jobs for homeless people. The five-day series of events included a panel discussion on the homelessness moderated by Mayor Wilson Goode, parties at local clubs, an a capella concert and basketball tournaments for area fraternities and sororities. The panel discussion entitled, "Homelessness in Our Country, Our Cities, and in Our Backyard" was attended by over 100 people, Miller said. "It was obviously very enlightening because there were many questions asked by students," the Wharton senior said. Miller also said the event raised people's consciousness of the homeless problem and how it can be dealt with. "[Shooting For a Cause] raised awareness among the general public that the homelessness problem is much more complex, and much more solvable than is normally perceived," he said. Fraternities and sororities from the University, Temple, La Salle, Villanova, Drexel, and St. Joseph's universities participated in the two basketball tournaments at Hutchinson Gymnasium and at the Palestra. Many of the players said they felt good about the competition and the cause. "I definitely enjoyed it. It is for a good cause," said College sophomore Michael Rosenbend during one of the fraternity semi-final games. Another player, ZBT brother Marc Getman, said that he also enjoyed playing in the tournament because everyone "feels good" knowing they're playing for charity. Each team had to pay an entry fee to play in the tournament which went towards the charity. Miller added that even though the economy is in a recession and obtaining corporate sponsorship for philanthropic events is difficult, Shooting for a Cause did "well, considering these circumstances." The sorority tournament ended in a tie between the University chapters of Sigma Delta Tau and Phi Sigma Sigma. The winner of the fraternity tournament was the Villanova University chapter of Alpha Phi Delta. The winning teams were presented with trophies by Mayor Goode.

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