Beta Sleep Out at UMaine Friday and Saturday
Contact: Andrew Knapp, Public Relations-Philanthropy Chairman, Beta Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, 581-8323
ORONO – Beta Theta Pi, the University of Maine’s oldest fraternity, is undertaking an effort to decrease rape crimes in the area and increase awareness of the issue. But to do this, the brothers need the community’s help.
Starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, and ending at 6 a.m. Saturday, 45 brothers of the Beta Eta chapter of Beta Theta Pi, along with fellow students and faculty representing other UMaine organizations, will participate in the 13th annual Beta Sleep Out to benefit Rape Response Services of Bangor. The event will raise money for rape-prevention education and spur awareness of the issue throughout the community.
Rape Response Services provides crisis intervention, support groups and community education in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. The organization’s efforts are essential in preventing rape and counseling those affected by the crime. Last year’s Beta Sleep Out, held in January, raised about $1,000 for the cause and attracted more than 300 individuals.
On Feb. 17, participants will camp on the front lawn of the Beta house, a large red building located next to Hancock Hall on College Avenue in Orono. Those involved construct their own shelter from cardboard boxes and various pieces of wood. A bonfire burns all night as the attendees attempt to stay warm in the freezing temperatures. By morning, despite frozen fingers and runny noses, the brothers are proud of the small sacrifice they made to fight a large community problem. Also on Saturday morning, tickets will be drawn for raffle prizes — the avenue through which most funds are raised.
Beta is seeking to surpass the money raised by last year’s event by a substantial amount. However, it is only through the community’s help that it can accomplish this. Beta hopes individuals, companies and other groups, who are a part of this community just like the victims affected by rape, may find it worthwhile to help the cause through monetary donations or contributions of items to be used as raffle prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the 12-hour period. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six.
All members of the community are invited to attend. Refreshments are available free of charge and speakers will address the rape issue and its impact on the community.
Beta will welcome well-known performer Ben Atherton-Zeman to speak at the event. Atherton-Zeman’s one-man play “Voices of Men” uses humor and male voice impressions to approach issues of sexual assault, consent, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment and objectification. According to his website, Atherton-Zeman has 13 years of experience working at domestic violence programs and rape crisis centers. He has performed and talked at conferences and workshops throughout the nation. He is also a spokesman for the National Organization of Men Against Sexism and has presented in 29 states, China and the Czech Republic. Atherton-Zeman, of the Boston area, met his wife Lucinda, a 1989 graduate of UMaine, while performing an improvisational comedy in Maine.
For more information, to make a donation of money or prize material, or to purchase raffle tickets, please call Andrew Knapp at (207) 581-8323. If there is no answer, leave a message with your phone number. You can also write to 12 Munson Road, Orono, Maine 04469, or e-mail andrew.knapp@umit.maine.edu.