UA Sorority, Fraternity Promote Charities Through Gold-Ribbon Campaign

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity are raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham with the “Paint the Campus Gold” event during September.

Other UA Greek organizations and departments have partnered with the campaign by donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. These organizations will display gold door ribbons outside their houses to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

“The time is always right to create a more informed community and, more specifically, a better educated university campus,” said Alayah Walton, president of the UA chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear gold ribbons to support the campaign. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 26, students and community members may pick up gold ribbons at a table in the Ferguson Student Center. Participants can wear the ribbons Friday. The groups will take donations at the table.

“There’s no greater feeling than helping others,” said Ryan Coleman, president of the UA chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. “It’s about banding together to be a part of something bigger.”

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama is committed to enhancing the lives of children and their families with a primary emphasis on facilitating access to pediatric health care for residents of Alabama and adjacent states.

Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha will host “A Golden Gala” party with partnering organizations from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Ferguson Student Center. For more information about “A Golden Gala,” contact Leslie Deramus, AKA social coordinator, at lmderamus1@crimson.ua.edu. For more information about University Programs, go to up.ua.edu.

University Programs is an innovative, collaborative programming board that aims to foster community while maximizing student development through campus-wide events implemented by UA students.