By LARA SELIGMAN
Staff Writer
laracs@dailypennsylvanian.com
This weekend, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity rocked for the homeless on College Green
On Thursday evening, the brothers of AEPi began their annual 48-hour-long camp-out during which they assumed the role of the homeless.
The brothers stayed up day and night asking passersby for change to donate to the University City Hospitality Coalition, a local soup kitchen.
This year, the fraternity raised $1,000 in the first night, said Wharton senior and AEPi brother Adam Sherman who participated in the event. Altogether, the brothers raised about $2,300.
According to College senior Daniel Sabra, the fraternity's philanthropy chair, the event usually raises about $3,000, which accounts for one third of UCHC's annual budget.
Potential donors cited the current economic situation as the reason for declining contributions, Sabra explained.
Rock for the Homeless is the fraternity's main fall philanthropy event and has been a tradition for about 10 years.
"AEPi is probably one of our top chapters in terms of community service," said Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. "I think students have been really responsive," to the event in the past.
"It's one of my favorite things that we do every semester," said Sabra. "Everybody's involved for a good cause."
Sabra explained that the fraternity's 28 seniors were on the Green "around the clock," and the other brothers took shifts. Many men slept outside with blankets, while others snoozed in a large tent donated by EMS.
"It was pretty cold," said College senior Julian Kurz after the first night. "The sprinklers came on at like 3 a.m. . We weren't expecting that."
In spite of the weather, the event attracted a large number of students and parents.
"You can't walk by Wawa at 38th and Spruce without seeing homeless people," Reikofski said. "Students want to try and help these folks."
Although Sabra said "some people just walk right by us and pretend we're not there," he added that others "are happy to donate money."
"I think it's a fun, creative way to get people's attention," said College sophomore Emily Anderson. "The brothers' willingness and . enthusiasm was very encouraging and got people to donate."
Several different groups performed throughout the event, including Off the Beat, Quaker Notes, Penny Loafers and AEPi's house band Gus and the Shehas.
In addition to raising money for UCHC and awareness of the homeless in Philadelphia, Sabra explained that the event allows students to see another side to Greek life.
"It's great for Greeks at Penn because it shows that we really do bring a lot to the table and we are active members in a positive way in our community," said College and Wharton senior and president of the Interfraternity Council David Ashkenazi.
