Phi Beta Sigma supports great cause (Nu chapter)

Phi Beta Sigma offered students of Missouri Western a different outlook on preventing pregnancy and premature birth defects.

Phi Beta Sigma promoted safe sex and provided students with informational statistics about premature babies during their Sigma week, March 4-8. Flowers were passed out for Women’s Appreciation Day and Backpacks to Briefcases Day educated men about life skills and after college life experiences.

Phi Beta Sigma Nu chapter teamed up with St. Joseph’s March of Dimes team to help raise money. March of Dimes was first established by President Franklin Roosevelt and focuses on premature birth and birth defects in infants. Educating doctors and promoting pregnancy screening are a couple of ways that March of Dimes tries to prevent premature birth and defects.

Sigmas around the world volunteered to raise money for March of Dimes. Nationally, Sigma organizations made a goal to reach $75,000. Chapter Alpha Beta Nu of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Inc. hoped to raise $500 as a starting goal this year and wanted to exceed past that goal and increase the number as the years come. Phi Beta Sigma sold wrist bands, t-shirts and car magnets to help out a great cause. Also, students attended week long events on campus to get further educated on the important cause.

Phi Beta Sigma member Elie Moore feels as though properly educating women about pregnancy is the most important thing that the cause has to offer.

“We wanted others to realize how important and serious premature birth defect situations are,” Moore said.

The group wanted to support others as much as possible. The fraternity’s ultimate purpose and goal was to help raise enough money for expenses of equipment and supplies that are needed for operations or prevention of birth defects occurring.

It wasn’t all about premature babies though. Pregnancy prevention was also a source of education at the events. Western student Samantha Asher feels that attending the events was important and that the motto “Safe sex is great sex” was very educational.

“I learned a lot of great things including how to practice better sexual habits,” Asher said.

Phi Beta member Arian Duncan believes that the March of Dimes event had a huge turnout because of the purpose of the event was so important to the community.

“People realized that we took donations for premature babies to help with the medical evaluations,” Duncan said.

With the weekly events here on campus, Phi Beta Sigma wanted to educate students on how important March of Dimes really is, not only to the organization but to society as well. Students that attended the weekly events learned that there are children who need help with complications and helping makes all the difference

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