Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Drexel Sig Eps Shave Heads for Charity

Sig Phi Ep funds cancer research
David Stephenson
Juxhin Jupi, a pre-junior electrical engineering major, shaves his head for cancer along with other members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity March 11.
Media Credit: Sarah Michelson
Juxhin Jupi, a pre-junior electrical engineering major, shaves his head for cancer along with other members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity March 11.

Members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity shaved their heads for cancer March 11. The event, which was held at the armory, was well attended and the proceeds were donated to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, one of the nation's largest supporters of child cancer research.

The annual event, which has been four years running, was started in 2007 when one of the members of the fraternity, Juan D'Angelo started the program to donate money to the children's charity.

The event this year was much larger then prior years and had a carnival theme. Different events and booths were set up on the floor of the armory, several of which would have been found at a carnival. A short line of students were lined up for a strong man competitions and a candy-striped cotton candy stall provided attendees with a sweet and sticky enjoyment.

The big draw of the night was two barber chairs set up near the entrance where a long line of fraternity brothers and their friends and family were lined up to shave their heads to raise money. Before the event, brothers had solicited donations for their haircuts.

Much like a "Relay for Life" race, each haircut raised a group of donations from onlookers and supporters.

"We raised $15,000 the first year," Mark Brandon, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and member of the fraternity, said. "The next year we raised $24,000. In 2009 we raised $28,000. This year we've set ourselves a goal of $30,000."

Before the night of the event, the fraternity had raised $18,000 in donations, and was expected to meet their goal by the end of the night.

Over 78 frat brothers shaved their heads at the event and a total of one hundred people had pledged to shave their heads in solidarity with the program. The other people who had their heads shaved were other students who felt that the cause needed attention.

Money was also being raised from a raffle for a copy of an "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" signed by the cast members of the show that had been donated to the event.

Five bands were also scheduled to play at the event including the Philadelphia based Taylor Carson, Mercy Blue, and Absolute Zero among others.
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