The Alpha Tau chapter of Beta Theta Pi has continued to be a great supporter of the community. Every semester each Beta performs an average of 20 hours of community service. This year many events and activities were popular with the chapter. They included volunteering at the soup kitchen, helping sort clothing for the Lincoln Goodwill stores, and many others.
Beta Burger Bash
Our fall philanthropy, Beta Burger Bash, is our chapter’s primary fundraiser. The house entertains hundreds of UNL students and friends for the event. The Burger Bash is a very exciting night for the entire chapter. All members help prepare the house, sell tickets, and make hundreds of pounds of food! Tickets cost just $4 for unlimited burgers, tacos, drinks, and snacks. Last year’s Burger Bash was a huge success, raising over $5,000 for the community!
An annual beneficiary of our Beta Burger Bash, Lincoln Lighthouse, is a local organization which Alpha Tau is heavily involved in. An after-school program for at-risk youth, Lincoln Lighthouse provides high school and younger-aged children a safe, positive environment with academic support, afternoon meals, and enrichment activities. Founded by an Alpha Tau alumnus, Pete Allman, Lincoln Lighthouse is a special place where Betas go to help make a positive impact on a weekly basis.
Backpack in Black
Our annual spring philanthropy, Backpack in Black is a fun way Beta has given back to the community. With live concert performances from Beta Bands and others, Backpack in Black raises funds for the Foodbank of Lincoln’s Backpack program which provides food to hungry Lincoln area families. As a result, Beta has raised thousands of dollars to assist the cause.
Active members participate in numerous campus-wide philanthropic events as well. Betas have been morale captains, family relations team members, as well as dancers for Dance Marathon. Year in and year out the Betas are known for being some of the most passionate supporters of this event which benefits the Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Over the last 10 years Dance Marathon has helped raise over $400,000.
Recently, a team from the chapter raised the most of any group for Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Members have also acted as project chairmen and staff advisors for the Nebraska Human Resources Institute, a mentoring organization that seeks to recognize and bring out leadership potential in elementary, junior high, and high school kids. Betas annually participate in the Big Event, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s day of service as well as many other similar events. Beta’s commitment to philanthropy has had a strong impact on the UNL campus.