‘Tis the season to be giving and for the past 10 years The Iota chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity of Fredonia State College has taken this to heart and feet by raising awareness and money for the charity, YouthAIDS with its annual Tree Trot for Youth AIDS. The event only comes two days after World Aids Day, which is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
The fundraiser’s objective is to carry a Christmas tree from Fredonia State College to Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo. This year’s event is Saturday, Dec 3rd and will mark the 11th annual Tree Trot for Youth AIDS held by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
The journey is a daunting 42 miles and includes all 30 members of the Fredonia chapter. The group will run north to Dunkirk and follow Route 5 all the way to Buffalo. They arrive at Lafayette Square just approximately at 3:30 p.m., which culminates to a 12-hour run for charity. The 4-5 foot tree was donated by Tuscany Market in Fredonia and will be carried in a relay fashion by 4 members at a time. The tree will be donated to a needy family in the Buffalo Area.
In the past two to three thousand dollars have been raised for this cause. Donations are secured from private individuals and businesses in Fredonia, Dunkirk and Western New York and additional donations are still being accepted.
“The idea for Tree Trot for Youth AIDS came about because the fraternity wanted to do something to generate public awareness for this great organization,” said Sigma Phi Epsilons Vice President/ Programming Director, Steve Siracuse. “What better way to create awareness for a great cause than have a group of young men run from Fredonia to Buffalo carrying a Christmas tree.”
YouthAIDS is the national charity for Sigma Phi Epsilon to which all chapters of the fraternity donate.
YouthAIDS has worked in over 60 countries, with programs tailored to each individual country. A $10 donation helps provide a youth with a year of health products, services and education, as well as products to protect against HIV. Some countries, such as Botswana, have populations that are over 40 percent HIV positive. Members of the fraternity have worked with the coordinators for volunteer and community service organizations every semester. The goal is for Sigma Phi Epsilon is to work with local groups, like the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA), in their quest to help kids who are stuck in a home with no adult care or supervision. Sigma Phi Epsilon also participated in Relay for Life, which is an event that the fraternity participates in every year.
Individuals who wish to donate to the YouthAIDS organization or Tree Trot for YouthAids can do so online through the organization’s web site, www.youthaids.org or by contacting Sigma Phi Epsilons Vice President Steve Siracuse by email at sira0140@fredonia.edu or by phone 716-868-0310.