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Greek community puts on day of fun for disabled kids

Greek community puts on day of fun for disabled kids

KRIS UGARRIZA/Herald photo

Dozens of disabled children and their families gathered for a Sunday afternoon carnival on Library Mall in an event sponsored by two University of Wisconsin Greek organizations.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority partnered with the Family Support & Resource Center, a Madison-based nonprofit that aims to help disabled children stay at home with their parents, said AEPi Philanthropy Chair Brian Oliver.

The children participated in several games for prizes, including a ring, football, bowling, bottle and beanbag toss and a soccer event. Free pizza was also available.

Event Chair Jordan Shockett said he hopes events like this make people realize that not all of the labels put on Greeks are true.

“Right now, the Greek community isn’t the best part of campus, according to stereotypes,” Shockett said. “And we wanted to show that’s not true, and we put a lot of effort into doing stuff not only for ourselves but also the community around us.”

Shockett said AEPi does not have a history of holding philanthropic events, and he hopes members enjoy being pushed out of their “comfort zones” and hold similar events in the future.

“This is an experience for the people that are taking part in it and something that we can look back upon,” Shockett said. “And hopefully we’ll get people to not only like doing it but also wanting to do something along these lines in the future.”

There was an abundance of pizza, prizes and candy, which Shockett said was to make sure the children had “enough of what they want.”

AEPhi President Becca Wiseman said her sorority got involved with the event to give back to the Madison community.

“We just thought it was a great opportunity to get involved with AEPi and do something great for the community,” Wiseman said. “It’s a lot of fun, and everyone was really excited for it.”

Involvement from the Greek groups was apparent. Members sported blue T-shirts commemorating the day, and at least two students were with a participant at all times.

6 Comments | Leave a comment

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I’m really impressed with alpha epsilon pi and the maturity of their event chair, jordan shockett. I saw campus mall while this event was going on and the kids were smiling and the members of both houses were welcoming and warm.

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really feeling the self-love

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Wonderful event. This is truly in the spirit of the soon-to-be President Barrack Obama. People helping people. Congratulations to the fraternity, sorority and event organizer jordan Shockett.

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We so often hear the terrible mistakes of today’s young adults. It is so nice to see that the efforts of a few brought joy to so many. Hopefully more Badgers will get involved with the Madison community and give back to the city that contributes to the success of their college experience. Way to go AEPi!!!!

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Please remember to use person first language in your articles. ‘Children with disabilities’ is much more respectful than ‘disabled kids’.

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BOliver STRAIGHT THUG RIGHT MEOW

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