The social fraternity Gamma Alpha Beta (GAB) donated $3,000 to Camp Kesem Monday. Buckethead, the annual fundraiser hosted by the GABs, raised $2,600 in donations. The remaining $400 was donated from yearly dues each GAB fraternity member pays.
“We really wanted to contribute a large amount to help them reach their goal, and we thought why not just round it off with our own money we had saved up?” said junior and GAB member Danilo Panici in an email. “It’s the least we could do for such a good cause.”
Camp Kesem is a national organization that hosts a weeklong camp for children whose parents have or had cancer. Augustana hosts its own camp and this summer will be the third annual camp it has hosted.
This year’s 30th Buckethead, which was held at the Blue Cat Brew Pub on March 29, had over 1,000 students in attendance. Panici planned the event this year.
“Since I had been planning it beginning at the end of last year, it made the 10 month process a truly memorable and rewarding experience for not only myself, but for my fraternity, Camp Kesem and anyone else involved in the process,” said Panici.
Junior Tony TouVelle, the Make the Magic co-chair, added that the donation significantly helped Camp Kesem.
“The $3,000 donation was more than any corporate sponsorships that we’ve received this year,” said TouVelle in an email. “We are so thankful because it helps our huge goal of $50,000.”