Greeks organize for Autism event

By Matthew Hunt

April 1, 2012

Two greek organizations will come together for a great cause to support autism.

Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha are holding a fundraising event Wednesday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will help raise awareness about autism and bring the campus together for a great activity.

Amber Rivera, president of Alpha Sigma Alpha, said that they hope to raise as much money as they can for this cause. She said all the money they receive from donations and students from the event will be donated at the “Walk for Autism,” which will take a place a few days after the event.

Rivera said she believes that autism is understated, and that there’s not a lot of attention focused on it. She said there are two billboards on the Belt highway that say 1 in 100 kids every year are diagnosed with autism.

“That’s a lot of kids each year being diagnosed with autism,” Rivera said. “It’s also low funded, so anything we can do will help toward finding a cure.”

The event that both of the organizations are hosting will receive help from other greek organizations. Amanda Benjamin, member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, said that the TKEs are planning to barbeque, and a member of Phi Delta Theta plans to DJ for the event.

The fundraising event is not part of their philanthropy, Benjamin said. She said the event is in honor of Kathy Kelly, former advisor for Alpha Sigma Alpha, and her nephew Tanner who was diagnosed with autism.

“Kathy Kelly has always been a big supporter of our organization,” Benjamin said. “Also, autism is a big issue for her as well.”

Kelly is very excited about the event. Kelly said that a lot of the members of Alpha Sigma Alpha sort of became big sisters to her nephew Tanner.

“It touches my heart,” Kelly said. “The girls would hang out and drive Tanner places with them.”

DeAndre Diamond, Secretary of Alpha Phi Alpha, said that the two greek organizations planning the event have a bond.

“We hope it’s a big success,” Diamond said.

No one has ever donated to autism at Missouri Western before, Benjamin said. She said that if they can bring this event in to help, it will help the campus overall.

The event is one that will be remembered. Benjamin said the best part of the event is that both Kelly and Isaiah Collier, who are both Alphas (Kelly a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Collier a member of Alpha Phi Alpha), will be at the event, and will also have pies thrown at their faces along with other members of the organizations.

Kelly said that she would do anything to help them. She said that they have done so much for her and her family already.

“I would be grateful to have a pie thrown at my face for this cause,” Kelly said.