MTSU’s Alpha Jam raising awareness for suicide prevention

Mar 28, 2013

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (Eta Nu)–Middle Tennessee State University’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity is coordinating its spring Alpha Jam benefit for charity Friday night.

The event will bring together friends, families and many local artists for a night of music and fun in hopes to raise awareness and prevention of suicide. Events take place beginning at 5 p.m. in the Tennessee Room of MTSU’s James Union Building.

“We’re expecting close to I’d probably say around 200, but we’re hoping for a much bigger crowd than that,” said Ted Walter, a member of ATO’s philanthropy committee and a senior aerospace major. He says that this is one of the biggest events the fraternity puts on every year.

“We’ve been planning this since last fall. We’ve been working on trying to get bands and trying to get set up for it. It’s the one we do every year that’s really big.”

Originally founded in 1865 in order to bind men together after the Civil War, Alpha Tau Omega teaches morals over politics, togetherness over supremacy and to recognize merit in all things, wherever it is to be found, officials said.

Headliners for this year’s concert will include 2011 “American Idol” contestant Briana Tyson; MTSU’s own Ryan Kenney, who recently released an album; former “The Voice” contestants and Nashville-based duo Elenowen, as well as JD Shelburne, another Nashville-based recording artist.

Aside from the concert, Alpha Jam will also feature a battle of the bands, a silent auction and a corn hole tournament. Food will be served as well.

All proceeds from the benefit will go toward To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit mental health awareness and suicide prevention organization, as well as the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. The Alpha Tau Omega chose to support these two organizations after one of its brothers, Brandon Johnson, committed suicide in 2009. Since then, the event has become an annual concert-themed benefit for the fraternity.

“Anyone’s more than welcome. Tickets are going to be $10 at the door, all going to a cause. So we would love for the community to come and show their support,” Walter said.

*Original article credited to The Daily News Journal: http://go.ato.org/13CWpv2

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