Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT)'s "Get on the Ball" philanthropy project to benefit Boston Children's Hospital kicks off today and will continue until next Friday, Oct. 11.
According to ZBT Vice President Zack Fialkow, event facilitators will roll a ball with a six foot diameter around campus throughout the week to collect signatures from students, faculty and general passersby.
"It's about spreading awareness for the organization, and it seems like a pretty good way to attract people," Fialkow, a junior, said. "The goal is to get donations based on the amount of signatures we collect."
ZBT Philanthropy Chair Jason Brillon added that the ball allowed the fraternity to reach out to campus members in a way that stationary charity events cannot.
"With 'Get on the Ball' we have the opportunity to engage the broader campus community over the week because we're bringing the event to them, and we have the chance to interact with people as we pass them," Brillon, a sophomore, said.
Apart from rolling the ball through campus, ZBT plans to host other activities, including a kickoff event Thursday night, a midweek Casino Night on Oct. 8 and a closing celebration on Oct. 11, according to Brillon.
The fundraiser's kickoff event, which is tonight at 7 p.m., will feature sweets and shows by various performance groups.
"We're doing a little dessert party at the Hillel Center," Fialkow said. "J.P. Licks donated two big tubs of ice cream [and] we're going to buy a third. Kickass Cupcakes donated 200 cupcakes."
The midweek event, a joint function with Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) called 'Bet on the Ball,' will run on Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in a casino night style.
"We're going to have a bunch of different raffles from local businesses," Brillon said. "We have about $360 worth of gift cards, plus a ukulele and $75 worth of Kamikaze Comics."
AOII Philanthropy Chair Amelia Cohen added that tables for blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em and roulette wheel will be available for students.
"People are just going to be invited to come play," Cohen, a senior, said. "There'll be a $5 buy-in for chips and during the course of the night there's going to be performances by acapella groups. There's also going to be food and drinks."
She added that the ball will be at the event so that people can sign and pledge to donate per signature as well.
ZBT will complete its fundraiser on Oct. 11 with a final event, Brillon said.
"The end-of-the-week event is sort of just a celebration that's going to be held at ZBT, which will be ticketed through Tufts Tickets," Brillon said. "It's a masquerade-themed dance party [called] 'Get on the Masquerade Ball.'"
Brillon believes the "Get on the Ball" project reflects the core tenants of social responsibility and active citizenship that are important to ZBT and Tufts students.
"It's a chance for ZBT brothers to show off their social responsibility and for Tufts students to show off their active citizenship and caring about the greater community," he said.
