Greek life to skate, fundraise

East Carolina University’s Kappa Delta sorority and Sigma Nu fraternity will host a skating fundraiser to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America.

The Skating for a Cause event will take place at the Kappa Delta sorority house from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The tickets are $5 each from a sister from Kappa Delta or brother from Sigma Nu. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $7.

Savannah Dodson, president of Kappa Delta and junior public health major, is one of the organizers of the event.

Home to more than 160 members, Dodson said all Kappa Delta chapters raise money for the Prevent Child Abuse America organization and that this event fell during Prevent Child Abuse Awareness Month.

“Prevent Child Abuse America does a lot of work for children who are verbally and personally abused. Personally, I feel like it’s overlooked and needs more attention brought to it,” Dodson said.

Prevent Child Abuse America is the only statewide organization that is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, according to the North Carolina Prevent Child Abuse America website. By investing in innovative programs proven to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs, Prevent Child Abuse America helps communities decrease factors that put children at risk for abuse and increase factors that encourage children to thrive.

“We used to host a race to raise money, however, we wanted to do something different. We found out we could bring a skating rink to our house. Since finals is (are) coming up, this event could be a good way to destress for students,” Dodson said.

Kappa Delta chapters have held Shamrock events, which are local fundraisers to support the prevention of child abuse. These fundraisers include pancake breakfasts, 5k runs and now the skating rink, according to Kappa Delta’s website.

Sigma Nu fraternity is co-hosting Skating for a Cause. Brock Kittle, president of Sigma Nu and junior biology major helped Dodson organize the event.

“We collaborated with the sorority and they proposed to raise funds for Prevent Child Abuse America,” Kittle said. “It is our first time raising money for that organization, however, it’s a good organization that is doing great work to prevent child abuse. So, this is a good way to raise money for it.”

Kris Demers, communications manager at the North Carolina chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, said while the organization doesn’t directly work with children, it teams up with partner programs to help prevent abuse and neglect. By connecting with these programs that align with the goals of the organization, the mission to prevent child abuse and neglect can happen.

“Since child abuse and neglect is 100 percent preventable, we invest in certain programs to prevent child abuse. These programs are parental skill building, home visiting and strengthening families among others,” Demers said.

Demers said Prevent Child Abuse America strives to encourage people to find a connection with children and to expand their knowledge on the program.

“When we hear that sororities, fraternities or anyone are (is) raising money and spreading the word about our organization it makes our day. By helping us with donations, you’re helping children in the community, even just spending time with a child is helping furthering our goal of prevention,” Demers said.