Phi Sigma Sigma puts new twist on annual fundraiser

Photo by Alan Chia, via WikiMedia Commons 

Giselle Cancio/Staff Writer

From the east coast to the west coast, the ladies of Phi Sigma Sigma rock all day during an event called “Rock-A-Thon.”

“Originally, the national philanthropy of Phi Sigma Sigma was the National Kidney Foundation therefore Rock-a-thon was designed to mimic what kidney patients must go through for long periods of time in order to keep their circulation up throughout dialysis treatment,” Christina Castillo, the philanthropy chair for the FIU chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma, said. “This year will mark our 23rd annual Rock-a-thon.”

A nine-hour event held in the Graham Center Pit, teams were able to register for just $100. It’s the team’s responsibility to keep someone rocking in the chair the whole day, and people can be switched as often as needed.

The chosen theme was Legos due to multiple reasons.

“Since our national philanthropy is no longer the National Kidney Foundation, I had two options,” Castillo said. “It was either to create an entire new national philanthropy event or to keep Rock-a-thon, but with a twist.”

She went with the twist and decided that the word itself, “Lego,” can be seen as an abbreviation for Let’s go. Therefore, it became “Lego Rocking for the Kids.”

Legos was also chosen because their mission directly correlates to the new national philanthropy of Phi Sigma Sigma, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation.

All money funds raised will go to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, which is a non-profit organization benefiting School and College Readiness.

The foundation’s mission is to raise funds and awareness, which will change, empower, and support students by helping children be fully prepared to learn, lead and become the leaders and scholars of tomorrow.

School and College Readiness Programs or Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow, has been Phi Sigma Sigma’s philanthropic endeavor as of 2013. During Phi Sigma Sigma’s Centennial Convention in New York, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation adopted a compelling cause that would allow each member to make a significant difference in the lives of others.

Similarly, Lego’s purpose is to inspire and develop children to think creatively, reason systematically, and release their potential to shape their own future, experiencing the endless human possibility.

“Legos also want to bring solutions to educators that will enable their students to succeed,” Castillo said. “We know that teachers are expected to deliver specific learning outcomes and measurable results and LEGO Education strives to create solutions that answer to those needs.

Aside from rocking, teams had the opportunity to engage in different activities that took place each hour. Activities included extreme canning, penguin hot potato and a chicken wing contest.

An event in the works since December, Castillo’s goal was to bring the theme of Legos together within the actual event to simulate a Lego-land where participants are ready and prepared to help children while remembering their own childhood and the education they have today.

Castillo’s advice to the students?

“Come out, make a difference and change a life,” Castillo said.

giselle.cancio@fiusm.com