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Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at SUNY Fredonia showed this is the season for giving by staging their 12th annual “Tree Trot for Youth AIDS,” carrying a Christmas tree from campus to Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo on Saturday to raise awareness and money for Youth AIDS.
All 40 members of the SUNY Fredonia chapter, working in relay teams of four members along Route 5, carried the tree, which was donated by Fredonia’s Tuscany Market, the entire 42 miles. The tree was then donated to a needy family in the Buffalo area.
In past years, the tree trot raised $2,000 to $3,000 through donations from private individuals and businesses in Dunkirk and Fredonia as well as Western New York.
“We wanted to show that our college fraternal organization really cares about this cause. The idea for Tree Trot for Youth AIDS came about because we wanted to do something to generate public awareness for this great organization,” said Cordell Jacobs Jr., vice president/programming of Sigma Phi Epsilon. “What better way to create awareness for a great cause than have a group of young men run from Fredonia to Buffalo carrying a Christmas tree.”
All Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters have designated Youth AIDS as their national charity. The organization, which serves in more than 60 countries, sponsors programs tailored to the needs of each country. A $10 donation helps provide a youth with a year of health products, services and education, as well as products to protect against HIV.
Members of the fraternity have worked with coordinators for volunteer and community service organizations every semester. The goal is for Sigma Phi Epsilon to work with local groups to raise money and continue this charitable cause.
Donations to the Youth AIDS organization or Tree Trot for Youth AIDS can be made online through the organization’s website: www.youthaids.org or by contacting Sigma Phi Epsilon by email at jaco0584@fredonia.edu or by telephone 347-721-8015.
