For the last two years, Alpha Omega Chapter at Murray State has hosted a Charred In The Yard event, which consists of a multi-divisional barbecue competition, a pie baking competition and a fun community get together. The combined efforts from last year’s event and this year’s have allowed the chapter to raise over $30,000 for Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Brother Allen Everett, the Noble Ruler of Alpha Omega Chapter said they used sponsorships, competition entry fees and sold lunches to raise money for their philanthropy.
“We spent several days going around to different businesses and went through a list of businesses with alumni connections,” Brother Everett said.
He explained the chapter went from business to business, most of which were part of the agriculture industry and asked for them to sponsor their fundraiser. “They liked what we were doing and wanted to support the cause,” he said. Brother Everett also noted that many people just came out to buy a meal and support the cause.
He said the event had five teams competing in the barbecue competition and 6 sororities competing in the pie baking competition. Entry fees collected from the teams went towards their donation, but most of the money made during the event came from meals that Alpha Omega Chapter sold to those who attended the event. So many people came out that the chapter even ran out of food.
Plates of barbecue, three sides and a dessert were sold for $10. Brother Everett said the chapter was still counting up the funds and waiting on a few sponsorship checks to come in, but he estimated that the chapter was able to raise roughly $15,000.00 this year.
“To be able over $30,000 in two years is pretty incredible,” he said. “We had a lot of public support; a lot of people came out and bought a plate to support.”
He noted that several other fraternities and sororities also showed up to support the chapter’s philanthropy.
At the end of the event, three awards were given out for those who won each competition. A graduate student at Murray State, Coy Crull, won the community barbecue competition, Sigma Chi Fraternity won the fraternity division and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority won the pie baking contest.
Brother Everett said the chapter was extremely happy with how the event turned out and don’t have plans for major changes, but minor details such as the day of the week it is held and when they start cooking the food they serve to the community.
He said next year, the chapter looks forward to helping more children at Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital and getting to connect with more of their alumni.
“It’s a great day with a great cause behind it,” Brother Everett said.
