The Beta Epsilon chapter of Theta Phi Alpha Sorority spent several days in the War Memorial Student Union last week see-sawing to raise money for Maya’s Cause, the chapter’s local philanthropy which donates to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
Maya’s Cause started when a former president of the Beta Epsilon chapter Debra Bueto’s cousin Maya Pettit passed away from a rare form of leukemia at the age of four. The philanthropy began in the spring of 2004 in order to help raise money for Maya’s family and her medical expenses, and today the chapter raises money to donate in Maya’s honor by see-sawing for 12 or more hours in the union during one week of each semester.
“We just see-saw to raise money because Maya liked to see-saw, and that’s why we see-saw in her memory,” said Helen Claire Jewell, a sophomore majoring in education and the assistant membership educator and housing chair for the Beta Epsilon chapter of Theta Phi Alpha.
According to Jennifer Jarreau, the chapter’s philanthropy chair, fundraisers have been held and donations have been made in honor of Maya every semester.
“We have continued to collect donations in honor of Maya and send all donations to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital each year,” said Jarreau.
According to Jarreau, the chapter’s goal is to donate at least $1,000 to St. Jude’s each semester in honor of Maya. In addition to see-sawing in the union, the chapter also holds other fundraisers through the semester.
“We raise money throughout the semester to support our national philanthropy, Camp Friendship, and our local philanthropy, Maya’s Gift,” said Jarreau. “Fundraisers that we host to support these philanthropies include can shakes, bake sales and give back nights at local restaurants.”
The chapter’s see-sawing fundraiser in the union was the last fundraising effort of the semester.
“We just donate as much money as possible that we raise when we collect money,” said Jewell. “Usually for Maya’s Gift we go in front of Walmart, but they weren’t responding this year, so we came to the union. When we collect in the union, it’s usually for Camp Friendship, but this time it’s for Maya’s Gift.”
According to Jarreau, Theta Phi Alpha will have several fundraisers during the summer and fall semesters.
“One of them we are kind of revamping,” said Jewell about a future fundraiser. “I’m not sure if we’re still doing it, but it used to be a fundraiser where we donate to one of our national philanthropies and to local charities in Louisiana.”
For more information, email the chapter’s president Mary Takewell at [email protected] or visit the chapter’s website at www.thetaphiselu.com.