The Observer, March 2, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 19
Phi Mu takes to the hoops
Phi Mu will introduce their newest philanthropic effort to the Case community this Sunday with their first annual Hoop-A-Paluza.
The event, which will be held in Adelbert Gym, is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise money for Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.
On the national level, Hoop-A-Paluza, Inc. is "a nonprofit [organization] whose dual mission is to raise funds for kids in New Jersey with severe health problems and to create a fundraising event that engages children and teaches them how rewarding it is to do charitable work," according to their website.
In 2005, Phi Mu Foundation signed an agreement with Hoop-A-Paluza to use their fundraising program as Phi Mu's premiere event in the spring for raising monies for Children's Miracle Network.
Since Phi Mu's adoption of the program is so recent, however, not many chapters have actually hosted an event yet.
"The chapter at Missouri State raised somewhere around $16,000, but that's astronomical," says Magda Marcel, a coordinator of Sunday's event. "We don't hope to raise quite that much."
The goal for Case's chapter was to get at least 20 teams to participate, and more than 30 have registered.
Sophomore Alex Mellion is participating on a team sponsored by Clarke Tower, where he lives and works as an RA.
"I think it's for a really great cause and will be a good time," he says. "Phi Mu has done a lot of hard work organizing the event. It's a good way to get people together."
The grand prize for winning the basketball tournament is $100 in the form of a gift card. Raffle prizes, to be awarded at halftime, include autographed Cavs merchandise, gift certificates donated by local restaurants, and the grand prize of a date with a Phi Mu to a Cavs game of choice.
Music will be provided by Zeta Psi.
"We're really grateful for their support and willingness to participate," said Marcel.
Overall, Phi Mu hopes to establish Hoop-A-Paluza as an event that will be successful for years to come. "We're looking forward to putting on a good event," says Marcel.
