Freezathon Brings in More Than $10,000 for Nokomis
Mar 27, 2014
EPSILON DELTA (North Dakota State)—Those who put together the Freezathon tried to put smiles on a lot of faces before NDSU students took off for spring break.
“I just don’t know what we’d do without them,” director of Nokomis Child Care Centers of the Villages Jane Greminger said. “They are fabulous to us; every year they go out and they stand out in the cold. They are so positive about it and have so much endurance.”
Members of Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Delta endured the elements, including lows under 20 degrees, for Nokomis Child Care Centers earlier this month. The fraternity and sorority held their annual Freezathon the week of March 9.
More than $10,388 will be bestowed to the centers — a total that does not include the 40-plus pounds of change that has yet to be totaled.
The Freezathon included an around-the-clock staff of money-collectors on the corner of University Drive and 12th Ave. N, near the Loaf ‘N Jug, along with a group of collectors stationed at the Memorial Union during select hours. Generous patrons dug into their pockets to contribute to the drive.
The brothers and sisters, along with a $4,000 match from the Dakota Medical Foundation, raised $10,388.
Kyle Dillon, a senior studying construction management and chair of Alpha Tau Omega’s health and wellness committee, did not mind his shifts outside. In fact, March 13 saw the high in Fargo peak at 58 degrees, when Dillon was campaigning.
“I got my pick of the litter,” Dillon said, “While a lot of new guys get stuck with the late-night shifts, I did my share of the late-night shifts.”
Members of both the fraternity and sorority noted that the after-hours shifts are not as bad as they seem. Dillon’s favorite part of the Freezathon, however, is the kids.
“Sometimes the Nokomis kids will come out here and spend the hour — that’s always a treat to see those kids and hang out with them,” Dillon said. “I just enjoy hanging out with my brothers and sisters of Kappa Delta.”
Keenan Hemming, a junior studying construction management and philanthropy chair for Alpha Tau Omega, agrees.
“I think the best part is just being out there and seeing people donate money and trying to raise money for the kids,” Hemming said.
“We appreciate them and everything they do,” Greminger said. “Their passion, their desire to help this community and help these children… The support really does help (children) achieve more. ATO and Kappa Delta have been fundamental in this.”
The money raised goes to funding the centers, which provides a quality place for children who are in need of physical and emotional support. Greminger said scholarships are also offered via these donations.
“They are just fantastic, wonderful folk. We are just so grateful for their support,” Greminger said. “We love them. We love them and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
*Courtesy The Spectrum: http://go.ato.org/1qj92ED