This past Thursday, Feb. 28, Sigma Nu hosted its ninth annual Brother For Sale event. Over 60 people filled the KC stack to support the fraternity, which raised over $1,700 this year for its philanthropy, Jessie’s Gift.
Jessie’s Gift began in 2004 after Albion College student Jessie Longhurst died in a car accident while studying abroad in Australia. During her time at Albion, Longhurst helped with a mentoring program to reach out to students in the community of Albion. The 20-year-old was close with many of the Sigma Nu brothers at the time, and the fraternity now continues to dedicate their fundraising and volunteer work as mentors to support her program with their annual philanthropy.
“The most special aspect of our philanthropy is not the fact that it is a contributing factor to increased brotherhood, but it is because we get to be a part of the result of our hard work,” said David Watson, Bangor junior, Sigma Nu president and chair of philanthropy. “We have the opportunity when we see our mentees every week [to witness] how the money we raised has been allocated and the impact it has on our mentee’s growth. It is truly a unique experience to directly witness impacting people’s lives in a positive way.”
This year, Brother For Sale auctioned off 40 brothers for various activities. For $10, the winner is personally invited to a mixer and dinner at Sigma Nu. For $30, a dorm- room cleaning is added. For $50, the Sigma Nu brother will also buy you McDonald’s and deliver it, and lastly, for $70, the winner receives all of the above, as well as a sorority lodge cleaning by Sigma Nu.
Clifford Harris, professor of chemistry, hosted the event. His humorous touch made the auctioning of the Sigma Nu brothers very entertaining.
“I was asked by a Sigma Nu to host it, but I’m always happy to help them out,” Harris said. “I knew Jessie Longhurst when she was here, as well as her family—fantastic people. [Jessie’s Gift ] is such a great cause.”
The highest bidder was Camille Corn, a study abroad student from Paris, France. She had a bidding war with another student over the purchase of Sigma Nu brother, Tyler White, for up to $235.
“I did it for fun and $235 is only about 160 Euro,” Corn said. “I could have bought a cute bag for that back in France.”
Corn added that she was happy to contribute to such a great cause as well.
Even though the KC was packed, student attendance was down from last year’s event.
“The turnout this year was not as good as last year, but still, there was enough people to support a good cause, and everyone had a good time,” said Nicholas Emery, Bloomfield Hills sophomore. “The MC was great.”
The Longhurst family visits the Sigma Nu fraternity every year to share Jessie’s story and explain how much this unique cause means to them.
“I know you have to do a fundraiser, but it’s not like you’re just doing it to get it done,” Mrs. Longhurst said. “You want to know [why]. You want to know what you’re working for.”
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