Restore the Shore
In the
wake of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy the brothers of the Iota Delta
Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi at James Madison University are finding it hard to
sit back and watch what is happening.
“Many of our brothers’ families and friends have been affected by this
disaster and this really hit home for us,” said senior Matthew Merritt, the
chapter’s executive vice president.
The
chapter decided to band together in support of those affected by the hurricane
by creating “Restore the Shore” wristbands.
The plastic bands on sale for $2 on-campus or $3 online are white with
red lettering. Delta Sig’s national
philanthropy is the American Red Cross and the brothers plan to donate the
proceeds specifically to aid the relief efforts from Hurricane Sandy. Inspired by the idea of a national movement,
their hope is that “Restore the Shore” becomes a rallying cry for far more than
their fraternity chapter. “We felt the
responsibility to start a movement,” said Merritt. “Not just a movement for our chapter but a
movement that will bring the entire JMU community together and bring the
country together.”
Their
national organization has also gotten behind the idea. Nick Gerhardt, Delta
Sigma Phi’s marketing and communication’s coordinator, said the national
fraternity is mobilizing support for the “Restore the Shore” wristbands across
the country by using social media.
Gerhardt said he was impressed with the initiative and leadership the
chapter showed in creating the concept.
“They had all the steps planned out before seeking help,” he said. “They’ve done a great job and I’m really
impressed.”
“Restore
the Shore” is a call to action the brothers plan to sustain for the remainder
of the school year. The chapter
developed a yearlong philanthropy plan for raising awareness, money and action
including physically helping out in areas devastated by the hurricane. Chapter President Brad Burgess has reached
out to his extended family’s church in New Jersey to offer help as they begin
to develop service opportunities. “Just because the hurricane is over and out
of the news doesn't mean that the people in those areas stop needing our help,”
he said. “The northeast shores are going
to take a long time to rebuild and we need to keep in peoples’ minds to keep
donating, keep wearing the bands and letting people know we are still here.”
Burgess
said the fraternity brothers would do everything they can to make “Restore the
Shore” a national movement. “It is amazing the things you can accomplish
with a group of people that have the same goal and the same drive to give back
to people who are in need,” said Burgess. “Anyone can start a movement. You just have to believe in what you are doing
and we know we are doing the right thing.”
For more
information:
http://deltasigjmu.com/service
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November
12, 2012
