DTD collects used phones
Andy Buss
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
Last week, members of Delta Tau Delta collected used cellular phones as part of a philanthropic undertaking with the help of the organization Cell Phones for Soldiers. They received more than 180 phones and 11,000 minutes of calling cards for U.S. troops to call home.
The fraternity e-mailed students during spring break to encourage them to bring old cell phones from home. The response impressed fraternity members, said senior John Ward, DTD's philanthropy chairman.
"I don't want to say I had any doubts about the success," he said. "But at first I wondered about how many students on campus would have old cell phones sitting around. So it was nice we could work it out to contact students over spring break. It just kind of worked out that way."
Freshman Gabe Bunek, another DTD member, agreed.
"It was really successful," he said. "I think we got a much better turnout then we expected."
Ward said the fraternity's 22 new pledges handled most of the nuts and bolts. He said the Cell Phones for Soldiers organization provided simple instructions on its Web site, which made the process much easier.
"The people were very adamant about us doing it," he said. "The nice thing is, they have prepaid shipping orders on their Web site through FedEx - since the package will be very heavy. Basically the whole philanthropy drive cost us nothing but our time."
The fraternity tentatively plans to host its next fundraiser, an all-Greek cook-off, on the last day of Greek Week.
"Each house cooks their own dish that they feel best represents them," Ward said. "Then we'll all meet in the empty lot between Koon and Sig Chi. The faculty then judges on whose food is the best. It will promote the Greek system."
The fraternity has not yet determined how to use the event to raise money for charity, he said.
The fraternity e-mailed students during spring break to encourage them to bring old cell phones from home. The response impressed fraternity members, said senior John Ward, DTD's philanthropy chairman.
"I don't want to say I had any doubts about the success," he said. "But at first I wondered about how many students on campus would have old cell phones sitting around. So it was nice we could work it out to contact students over spring break. It just kind of worked out that way."
Freshman Gabe Bunek, another DTD member, agreed.
"It was really successful," he said. "I think we got a much better turnout then we expected."
Ward said the fraternity's 22 new pledges handled most of the nuts and bolts. He said the Cell Phones for Soldiers organization provided simple instructions on its Web site, which made the process much easier.
"The people were very adamant about us doing it," he said. "The nice thing is, they have prepaid shipping orders on their Web site through FedEx - since the package will be very heavy. Basically the whole philanthropy drive cost us nothing but our time."
The fraternity tentatively plans to host its next fundraiser, an all-Greek cook-off, on the last day of Greek Week.
"Each house cooks their own dish that they feel best represents them," Ward said. "Then we'll all meet in the empty lot between Koon and Sig Chi. The faculty then judges on whose food is the best. It will promote the Greek system."
The fraternity has not yet determined how to use the event to raise money for charity, he said.
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