The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Jim Anderson Students walk 5K around the perimeter of campus in the rain to raise money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Sunday.

The Greek Honors fraternity Order of Omega, organized the Strut Your Stuff! 5K walk around UConn's campus Sunday afternoon, despite the inclement weather and poor showing of cold yet dedicated participants. The walk was created to raise money and awareness for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, located in Ashford, Conn.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded by Paul Newman in 1988. It's a haven for seriously ill children, who spend a week at camp being carefree and having fun. The goal of Strut Your Stuff! was to raise enough money to send at least two children to the camp, about $5,000.

Approximately 100 people participated in the walk. The majority of the participants were UConn students affiliated with Greek life, as this was the second event for Greek Week. The $6 registration fee raised a significant amount of money for the camp. Numerous donations were also collected from cars driving by, responding to posters displaying facts about the camp.



"This way we were not only using the event as a fundraiser, but we were creating an awareness for students and the community about how important and impacting the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is," said Amy Nelson, an 8th-semester HDFS major and VP Service for Order of Omega.



Participation points were tallied as a way to conclude which teams had the most involvement. President Hogan will recognize the team with the most funds raised by the end of Greek Week for their hard work and commitment, according to Nelson.



"I am very proud with what we were able to accomplish," said Nelson. "This is our first year attempting this event and we hope that the relationship we have created with those at the camp will last well into the future."



Despite the cold rain, participants appeared to be in good spirits and happy to walk for an admirable cause. "Even if the rain is keeping people away, awareness for the camp is out there and we'll be able to donate something," said Pratik Biswal, a 6th-semester economics and statistics double major and Zeta Beta Tau rush chair.



The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has impacted the lives of many seriously ill children. Spending time there often transforms their outlooks on life, providing them with hope. The camp is a 15-minute drive from campus and always welcomes visitors and donations.

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