TERRE HAUTE — Students crossing Indiana State University’s campus saw tents and pizza Wednesday night as the ATO fraternity hosted its annual Campus Campout on behalf of Coats for Kids.
“It’s our signature event,” Alpha Tau Omega president Jaden Brown said of the third annual fundraiser.
Launched in 2007 by member Bobby Granger, the overnight campout between Cunningham Memorial Library and Holmsted Hall raised $800 its inaugural year, $1,000 the next, and is expected to exceed that this year, Brown explained.
Nick Renick, an ISU junior, said the group raised $350 before 5 p.m. Wednesday. The event, which began Tuesday, runs through this afternoon.
Students from across campus hung out over pizza and hot dogs as music played. Brown said the event began as an ATO project with other Greek organizations, but this year it’s been opened to independents as well.
“The best thing about setting up here is people walk by and say, ‘What’s that?’” he said.
In addition to donations, the group had collected three boxes of coats by Wednesday evening.
Coats for Kids is a national charity which provides winter coats to children whose families can’t afford them.
ATO faculty adviser and retired ISU director of alumni affairs John Newton said the project demonstrates the students’ commitment to the community. All college students are “poor college students,” the adviser in his 35th year said. But the students realize there are many people in much worse financial positions, and despite the dismal weather they turn out to help.
“I like what they do,” he said of the fraternity.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Check it out
• For more information on the ATO’s Coats For Kids drive, e-mail jbrown115@indstate.edu.
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