Alpha Tau Gamma, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture’s fraternity, held a luau at their house on Sunset Avenue on Thursday to fundraise for Multiple Sclerosis relief.
The fraternity’s 2016 luau kicked off in the Sunset Avenue backyard Thursday around 1 p.m. as around 100 attendees cycled through the event. This end-of-the-year celebration brought food, bands, beach music and the fraternity’s dog, Rusty, to visitors and neighbors alike.
“One thing we really wanted to do was to restore our image as members of the neighborhood, instead of tormenters of the neighborhood,” said senior Chris O’ Brien, a turfgrass science and management major.
After troubles in the past dealing with neighbors, and even being on probation, O’Brien said the fraternity made a huge effort to involve neighbors in this year’s luau. This included notifying and inviting them, as well as holding the event during daytime hours instead of at night.
“A frat in a residential community is always looked down upon,” said junior and president of ATG Levi Lilly, a plant soil and insect sciences major. “We really try hard to boost our relationship in the neighborhood.”
All proceeds through the $5 ticket sales went to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. The mainstage, backed by a green and yellow sign of the fraternity’s Greek letters, featured several local bands and artists, including Snowhaus, Where’s Walden?, Kroma Kode, Petting Zoo, Sunshine Brothers Inc., and Colin Cross.
Many members of the community said they think the fraternity has come a long way.
“Some of the things they’ve learned about being a good neighbor, they’ve employed here,” said police officer and neighborhood liaison Bill Laramee. “A picnic is a lot better than a party.”
“Frats have a certain reputation; I mean look at the movie “Animal House.” That’s how they’re often perceived,” Laramee continued. “They don’t have to be that way…Fraternities can be good neighbors.”
One of Alpha Tau Gamma’s long-time neighbors, Bob Cyr, has lived nearby the Sunset Avenue house for 20 years. He said he has seen many fraternities and college home renters come and go from his community.
“This particular fraternity has been really good to our neighborhood,” said Cyr. “I truly don’t believe you’ll find another fraternity that acts the way these guys do…I know if I texted [them] about anything, they would absolutely help.”
In addition to connecting to the community, the luau focused on a charity of significance to some of the members of Alpha Tau Gamma. O’Brien, whose brother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis nine years ago, organized the event.
“I think it’s great that we’re doing something that hits close to home with one of our members,” said ATG brother and senior Jake DeMasi, an arboriculture and community forestry major.
Although the brothers have had similar functions before, this was the first luau they did to benefit a charity. The MSAA is a national, nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the lives of those suffering from MS.
The nonprofit offers services to provide wheelchairs and mobility equipment, cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals, and educational programs nation-wide.
“In the now, [the MSAA] is helping people in real life,” said O’Brien, whose brother has also organized events to benefit the charity.
“This was all just an idea at one point,” said O’Brien, explaining that the event brought a huge “feeling of accomplishment” to the fraternity. “If we can do this again next year, that would be great. If we do it again in 5 years, that would be even better.
Bridget Higgins can be reached at [email protected].
