This November, the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Rhode Island have challenged each other with a “No-Shave November” fundraiser where the proceeds will be donated to the American Lung Association.
No-Shave.org describes No-Shave November as “a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.”
Peter Parente, a junior marketing major, and brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, introduced the idea of No-Shave November to his Fraternity after having participated in a similar event during his time in high school. He wanted to extend the friendly competition to his brothers as a way to raise money for an important cause.
“We’re very interested in a No-Shave November,” Parente said. “When I was in high school I attended the Prout School and it was really big there. As a strict private school we weren’t allowed to have facial hair, except in November when they encouraged us to participate in this event to raise awareness and fund cancer prevention, research, and education.”
Parente explained that the month long competition will consist of brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon each donating $10 to pledge their support. At the end of the month, the brother with the best beard will receive $50 as a sort of incentive, while the rest of the money raised will go to the American Lung Association.
“I will definitely be donating, but I don’t know about growing the beard in,” Jimmy Dunwoody, a junior mechanical engineering major, and president of Sigma Phi Epsilon said. “I have a lot of professional meetings I have to attend,”
For those who don’t want to grow out their beards but still want to donate, Parente said that the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon “will have a booth outside the union all next week for Philanthropy Week, collecting donations for lung cancer.”
Greg Husta, a junior Political Science major and vice president of programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon, has helped orchestrate this fundraiser. For him, it’s a more than deserving cause.
“Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, it affects many people,” Husta said. “With November being lung cancer awareness month, we found it really fitting to focus on lung cancer research and prevention, and incorporate it into our philanthropic work.”
“It’s awesome to be able to have a friendly competition within the Fraternity, while also raising money for such an important cause,” Husta said. “The American Lung Association does a lot of research in developing treatments and we are happy to support them this November. We’d love to get as many people involved as possible. We’ve been reaching out to other fraternities and organizations to encourage them to participate or donate.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon will have a booth outside the union every day of Philanthropy Week, November 14th through 18th, and is graciously accepting donations to benefit those affected by lung cancer through the American Lung Association.