Acacia donates award money to STRIPES
The money was won in an Alcohol Responsibility Month contest.
Published Nov. 9, 2004
Acacia donated $300 to STRIPES on Saturday night to help out with general operating costs.
Acacia won the money as part of Alcohol Responsibility Month, sponsored by the Wellness Resource Center. Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol co-sponsored the program, which featured events throughout October.
The program's goal was to provide information to students about possible dangers of alcohol.
Participants were split into four categories: fraternities, sororities, residence halls and other student organizations. There were first, second and third prizes for each category. Acacia won the fraternity category.
The first-place team won $300, second place won $100 and third place received recognition.
Acacia member Kyle O'Brien said they wanted to give the money back to the community.
"This semester we've gotten involved as an organization," O'Brien said. "Part of our motto is getting involved in the community and making a difference."
O'Brien said Acacia gave the money to set an example.
"Maybe other people with follow suit," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said Acacia's involvement with STRIPES began this semester. He said three to four members volunteer with the organization every Saturday night. Acacia will have a similar involvement next semester.
O'Brien said Acacia is committed to helping STRIPES.
"With this donation, we're trying to raise awareness," O'Brien said. "We're trying to get more people to use the service."
STRIPES Director-elect Mike Ekey, a former employee of The Maneater, said the partnership with Acacia has been very helpful for STRIPES.
"We've forged a nice relationship with Acacia," Ekey said. "This is just another example of Acacia helping out. It shows their dedication to the program."
STRIPES Director Melanie Lambert said while she didn't expect the donation, she was pleased.
Lambert said the money will go toward basic expenses for the organization, such as gas for the cars, car logs and phone logs. Lambert said STRIPES was looking to get cell phones in the cars, possibly next semester.
Ekey said there are a few ways to spend the money, but there's no top priority.
"We haven't really planned anything for the money" there is nothing at the top of our list," he said. "It will go toward the general operating fund."
Acacia is a relatively new fraternity on campus. O'Brien said this was its third continuous semester since recognition.
Acacia was on campus from 1907 through the '80s, and was recently re-colonized.