Thursday, April 3, 2014

College Students Make Unusual Pledge to Support Blue Monarch

The staff and residents of Blue Monarch were surprised by an unexpected act of generosity from the Gamma Sigma Phi fraternity at Sewanee. The members worked together in February to raise money for the local nonprofit in a very unique way, by abstaining from any kind of alcohol or drug for the entire month. 

After helping with the annual Turkey Trot that benefits Blue Monarch last fall, fraternity member Ike Holmes said that the Gammas, “simply fell in love with Blue Monarch and what it stood for. Since then we had to try to come up with a way to contribute more to the powerful organization.”

During the month of February, Holmes, along with his fraternity brothers, pledged to abstain from any sort of alcohol or drug for the entire month, and reached out to the entire student body to join their efforts. The Gammas set up a system where an individual pledged a determined amount of days to be sober and donate a certain dollar amount each day. 

When Holmes informed Blue Monarch of their efforts, it took the staff completely by surprise. Holmes presented more than $600 to Blue Monarch in March.

“I am so incredibly impressed that Gamma Sigma Phi took this very bold step to demonstrate their support for Blue Monarch. It’s very moving,” said Susan Binkley, founder and director of the program. 

Blue Monarch, a long-term recovery program for women and children struggling with abuse and addiction, offer women an opportunity to break their destructive cycles and start a new way of life. 

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