Alpha Kappa Psi, the co-ed professional business fraternity, raised over $4,600 at their second annual “5K for Autism Acceptance” at South Mountain Reservation this past Saturday, according to their philanthropy chair.
Chloe Jakubowski, a junior accounting major and the fraternity’s philanthropy chair, said that around 100 people came to this year’s 5K. She added that Alpha Kappa Psi raised over $4600 with a combination of fundraising the week leading up to the event, the $10 registration fee for each participant, and the 50/50 and raffle baskets at the event itself.
Jakubowski said her favorite part of the event was seeing the support of family, friends and the Seton Hall community.
“It was really nice to see just how much people care about philanthropy, service and giving back, even if it does not directly impact them,” Jakubowski said.
Alpha Kappa Psi donated 80% of the proceeds to COMPASS Learning Advantage, who they have a longstanding relationship with. According to their website, COMPASS Learning Advantage is both an educational and recreational company that “offers a variety of services to help children develop, promoting mind and body wellness using athletics and academics to strengthen communication skills and enhance emotional intelligence.” Located in Hoboken, New Jersey, COMPASS embraces “neurodiversity, celebrates inclusion, and specializes in autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, and language communication needs.”
Alpha Kappa Psi also donated 20% of the money raised to Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, a nonprofit organization newly founded by Seton Hall students Daniel Wright, a senior finance and economics double major, Anthony Rocco, a junior business management major, and Kai Hansen, a sophomore chemistry, philosophy and business major. According to their website, their organization aims “to improve social, educational, and physical health opportunities for children faced with autism and Down syndrome by providing relief to families in struggling financial situations.”
Jakubowski said Alpha Kappa Psi looks to continue their relationship with Breaking Barriers, Building Futures.
“We definitely want to continue our relationship with Breaking Barriers, Building Futures because it’s really great that three students started a nonprofit for autism acceptance, and they’re doing great things,” she said.
This year’s 5K saw an increase in both participation and fundraising according to Brent Robinson,a junior finance and IT management double major, and the fraternity’s vice president of finance. He said that 75 people attended last year and $2,500 was raised.
Something Robinson said that stood out this year was the number of student organizations that participated, including Greek organizations Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon and Phi Delta Theta.
“That’s a really big part of it for me because, as a co-ed business fraternity, I think it’s important for us to get involved with other fraternities and sororities, so it’s amazing to see them there,” Robinson said. “I know we will go to their events and support them in the future. The support from the Seton Hall community at large was amazing to see.”
Helena Rowe, a senior finance major and fraternity president, said that she is looking forward to seeing how the 5K continues to grow in the years to come.
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“I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to partake and watch the 5K grow over the past few years, and I’m excited to look back as an alum to see how the chapter continues to improve, change and evolve the event to continue on a legacy as it is so important to give back to the community,” she said.
Brooke McCormick can be reached at brooke.mccormick@student.shu.edu.
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