Alpha Epsilon Pi kicked off the first day of classes on Monday by hosting their first fundraiser of the year, Hoops for Hope. The basketball shoot-out at the Bell Tower gave students the chance to win free pizza.
For a dollar, participants were given one shot to make a basket that could win them a free slice of pizza from The Owl’s Nest on North Broad Street.
More daring students could shoot from the backline and win full pies, and those less confident in their free throw and three-pointer abilities had the option to allow members of AEPi to shoot in their places.
AEPi President Jon Desantis said The Owl’s Nest employees were very helpful with the fundraiser. The a junior criminal justice, Jewish studies and Hebrew major said the pizza shop staff members were supportive and said they would do whatever they could to help.
Computer Services provided a wireless Diamond Dollars machine for the event, giving more options to those looking to make donations.
Desantis said this made it easier for freshmen to give and that they were part of the day’s biggest donors.
Dean of Students Ainsley Carry and Vice President of Student Affairs Theresa Powell stopped by to make donations as well.
AEPi is hoping to raise $3,500 throughout the year as part of the national organization’s campaign that will donate money to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha and the U.S. National Holocaust Museum.
The charities were chosen during this year’s AEPi national convention.
Located in central Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek Medical Center “has responded to the needs of Jerusalem’s uniquely diverse population from its very first day of operation, treating patients of every race, religion and nationality,” according to the hospital’s website.
Camp Simcha is a two-week summer camp for Jewish families with terminally ill children. The money raised by AEPi will be used to provide scholarships for children to attend the camp.
While the $509 that was raised fell short of AEPi’s $1,100 goal for the event, Desantis remains optimistic for the rest of this year’s fundraising.
“While the results were below our goal, we look forward to the challenge of meeting our overall goal for the semester and year,” Desantis said. “Everyone had a really enjoyable time and feels great about raising money for a great cause.”
Kriston Bethel can be reached at kbethel@temple.edu.
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