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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Hoops for Hearts Strives to Save a Child's Heart

Fraternities Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Epsilon Pi are hosting UB Hoops for Hearts, a fundraiser for the humanitarian organization Save a Child's Heart (SACH). The event will consist of a three-on-three basketball tournament, held on Feb. 5 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Clark Gym on South Campus.

ZBT is an on-campus fraternity that was created last semester. Currently, there are 25 members, and the organization hopes to add 10 to 15 more members this semester. Joining together for this charitable effort, ZBT and AEPi are changing the culture of inter-fraternity relationships from rivalry to collaboration.

"Originally ZBT wanted to do something to get involved in the community… we first went to AEPi because they are already established on campus and we figured they'd be able to help us and bring us toward being [more established]," said Justin Neuwirt, a sophomore accounting major, vice president of ZBT, and organizer of the event. "They had already been working with Save a Child's Heart, so that was the first organization they targeted."

SACH, founded by Dr. Amram Cohen in 1995, has repaired the hearts of more than 2,400 children worldwide since its conception. The organization does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion or financial situation; each patient is treated with medical care at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel.

Additionally, SACH provides an outreach training program for the medical personnel in Israel. The organization works to form partnerships in developing countries as well as create pre- and post-operative care facilities in Israel and elsewhere.

The community has also pooled its resources to make this effort a success. Local businesses provided gift cards and merchandise, Alumni Arena donated hats and T-shirts, and Pam Jackson, the Greek liaison in the Student Life office, provided water bottles.

Additionally, UB Hoops for Hearts welcomes sponsors. Three sponsorship levels have been designated: $1,000 will garner a "NBA" sponsor designation, $500 for a "NCAA" sponsor designation, and $150 for a "Varsity" sponsorship. Each sponsorship designation provides differing levels of name and logo inclusion on materials and event signs.

The Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE), currently the largest sponsor of the event, donated $500 to UB Hoops for Hearts.

"[The CSLCE] has been a tremendous help in getting this event off the ground," said Scott Resnick, a sophomore communication major and president of ZBT.

Ultimately, the fraternities hope to raise $10,000 for SACH from the proceeds of the event.

Registration will take place in the Student Union on Thursday and Friday. The cost is $10 per person and all proceeds will go towards SACH. Raffle tickets to win the donated gift cards and merchandise will also be available at this time. Final prizes at the event are to be announced.

For more information about the event, e-mail UBhoops4hearts@gmail.com or visit one of the tables in the SU during the week.

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com


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