Gateway

Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News

Theta Chi member senior Max Henscheid is all smiles after being covered in slimy egg goo on Wednesday. (Andrea Barbe/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

Theta Chi members junior Dan Borowiak (left to right), senior Chris Ferrante and junior Mitch John shield themselves from the slimy eggs being thrown at them in the Pep Bowl Wednesday. (Andrea Barbe/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

Freshman Andrew Edwards (center) prepares for an egg to the face as fellow Theta Chi members junior Dan Borowiak (left) and junior Mitch John (right) brace for the incoming eggs being thrown at them. (Andrea Barbe/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

Theta Chi members junior Dan Borowiak (left) and freshman Andrew Edwards (center) watch as senior Chris Ferrante (right) reacts after being nailed in the chest by an egg. (Andrea Barbe/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

"For a cause so good, it hurts." That was the slogan of Theta Chi's second annual "Egg-a-Chi" fundraiser held on Wednesday.

Five brave fraternity brothers lined up in the Pep Bowl starting at 11 a.m. as students forked over their cash, rolled up their sleeves and pelted the human targets with eggs to raise money to benefit the Siena/Francis House, a shelter that works to aid the homeless in the Omaha community.

Two hours and 240 eggs later, Theta Chi raised over $185 for the shelter, nearly $100 more than last year's effort.

Theta Chi Philanthropy Chair Sean Miles said they chose the Siena/ Francis House because it was a unique organization that no other sorority or fraternity was already working with.

"You don't see too many organizations out there that are going for those causes [like homelessness]," Miles said. "We thought we could be different and not go for the typical organizations that are always out there."

The fraternity chose the type of fundraiser over a more conventional option because they felt it was a refreshing opportunity.

"It's different from things like car washes," treasurer Max Henscheid said. "It's 'out there,' and people love it."

At first, students were a little reluctant to shell out money, Henscheid said. But, when they found out it went to a worthy cause, they were more willing to participate.

Henscheid added that witnessing how much pain the brothers go through getting hit with the eggs also serves as fuel for students' participation.

Secretary Kapree Walton, who served as an egg target in last year's event, said that despite the pain the targets must endure, it is a great fundraiser because it is fun for students.

"Who doesn't want to throw an egg at a person?" he asked.

The brothers thought the fundraiser was popular among the student body because it was an opportunity to have fun, relax and even relieve pent-up stress.

"I think it is a great event," Mitch John said. "People like public humiliation, and people want to see us in pain for fun."

He said that, for the brothers, getting hit with the eggs was worth it.

"It hurts. But, at the same time, it's good to know that people are being helped by it," John said.

Raising awareness is a huge cause, because a lot of people don't think about the little things that may be affecting the less fortunate, Miles said. It might not be in their lives, so they don't think about it.

"So, if we raise awareness and show people that these things actually go on, it could cause a chain reaction of helping," Miles said.

Through battle wounds, blood and bruises, the brothers all agreed the hurt was definitely worth the cause.

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