Phi Sigma Phi camps for kids

Are life-sized bananas ever seen dancing by a rock? For the last two days, the boys of Phi Sigma Phi Fraternity camped out by the painted rock, begged for money, even danced in costumes and they did it all in the name of charity.

We're raising money to put underprivileged kids in prestigious preschools, said fraternity president, Brian Morris.

The fraternity needed a philanthropy project for the year and was disappointed with the previous charity projects they had worked on.

"I thought we could get behind his better," said fraternity brother Rob Weigel, "We didn't get any real fulfillment [out of our previous projects].

Weigel's sister committed suicide the previous summer and his family had set aside a fund for her funeral, the Ellen Weigel Foundation. Weigel came up with the idea to raise money for his sister with all proceeds benefiting the Colonial Foundation. "Through the generosity of donors, the Colonial Foundation works to guarantee and support the futures of Westover, Berkeley Square, Colonial Schools and Colonial Community Services," according to the foundation's website, www.colonialseniors.org.

"She loved kids," said Weigel. The idea to camp out by the painted rock came from a fraternity tradition.

Every year the new members paint the rock and have to guard it as long as possible. We came up with the idea to camp out by the rock and to turn it into a philanthropy [project], said Morris. With 37 active members and about 40 new members, the fraternity brothers took turns at the rock, often leaving only for classes.

"It's a good way for the guys to get to know each other," said Weigel.

The fraternity planned a pancake breakfast on September 26, 2007 Wednesday at 8 a.m. to help raise the money and planned to stay at the rock until noon. The fraternity will plan another camp-out September 30 to continue raising money for the charity.

Our goal was $500 and we're already at $250, said Morris. With plans for another camp-out next week, the fraternity plans to raise as much money as possible for the foundation and in memory of Weigel's sister.

"I think it's a really neat way to memoralize my sister," said Weigel, "I'm very thankful. I'm really impressed with these guys. The new members are really showing their stuff."

The WSU community has turned out to support the fraternity's new charity. Soririties have baked cookies and food, other students have dropped off water and pop and some even hung out with the fraternity.

What are these students doing when not raising money for the foundation? Cornhole and throwing a football keep them busy; waving signs at leaving cars and talking to curious onlookers also take up much of their day.

With the rising temperatures, the fraternity created a tarp out of a bedsheet for shade, but there were no tents for these guys. After sleeping in the outdoors for days, Morris only had one comment.

"Starting to stink a little," he said with a laugh. The members did not seem to mind much as they continued raising money for a good cause. The Phi Sigma Phi fraternity does numerous other charity activities for the community. On February 23, the fraternity is hosting their annual Smarty Party, their single biggest fundraising events. It's a party where they hold many contests to raise money and last year they raised $4000. This year's them is Mardi Gra.

The fraternity was thankful for the people who donated and for those who supported the boys in other ways.

"We just wanted to say thanks to those who dropped off water, pop, food. We really appreciate," said Morris. Weigel was also thankful for the effort his fraternity brothers are putting in to this charity in honor of his sister.

"I'm really impressed by these guys," he said, "This is a better tribute to her."