Fraternity hosts philanthropic event

Sigma Alpha Epsilon hosted its first Elimidance philanthropy
Tuesday night, which raised $2,500 for the fraternity’s
chosen national charity, the Children’s Miracle Network.

The event, which was located at El Dorado Cantina in Brentwood,
allowed representatives from 10 UCLA sororities to compete against
one another in dance competitions.

The women were judged in choreography, partner dancing and
freestyle categories, among others. The primary goal of the
evening, however, was to benefit the Children’s Miracle
Network, a non-profit organization that raises money for hospitals
in the United States and Canada.

“When we save money like this it directly saves
lives,” said Jeff Osofsky, philanthropy chairman for Sigma
Alpha Epsilon and organizer of the event.

Money was raised through both the $200 entry fee donated by each
sorority and a $7 cover charge paid by guests who attended the
event.

“The idea of having college students take time out of
their busy schedule is heartwarming,” said Tommy Monje,
associate director and program leader for the Children’s
Miracle Network.

General donations such as the ones raised by this event are
allocated toward four categories: research, medicine, equipment and
uncompensated care, which is care for those without insurance.

“At our hospitals we treat the patient first and worry
about the money later,” Monje said.

Seventy percent of the Children’s Miracle Network’s
clients, most of whom are treated at the Childrens Hospital Los
Angeles, never pay their bills, Monje said. For this reason, he
said, charitable events like Elimidance, which give general
donations to the Children’s Miracle Network, are
valuable.

“Every dollar counts,” Monje said. “They help
us save lives, both figuratively and literally.”

Guests at El Dorado Cantina responded with shouting and applause
for each of the dancers and the members of the sorority Alpha Phi,
which won the competition. Students afterward said they appreciated
the event’s cause.

“I think it’s great that fraternities can use social
events to contribute to philanthropic causes,” said Matt
Marshall, a fifth-year history and business economics student.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon members intend to make the charity an annual
event.

“This event surpassed our expectations,” Osofsky
said. “We’re looking to do it again next
year.”

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