Photo and story by Emma Benjamin / Contributing Writer
“These Hands Donut Hurt” was an event held by the MTSU Alpha Chi Omega sorority chapter Wednesday to raise money and awareness for victims of domestic abuse during Domestic Violence Awareness month.
The event, held in the Student Union Building, involved sorority members selling donuts and giving out brochures and handouts that detailed statistics of domestic violence and information about where people should reach out to if they are in an unhealthy relationship.
One in four women and one in seven men have been victims of domestic violence in their life. 20 people are assaulted by an intimate partner every minute, resulting in over 10 million domestic assault reports per year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“I think this is a good way to raise awareness on campus,” said Alissa Belton, a history major and member of Alpha Chi Omega. “People might not realize they are in an unhealthy relationship.”
Alpha Chi Omega is also raising money by doing “Penny Wars,” a competition between sororities and fraternities on campus. Every penny in each organization’s bucket counts as a point. You can also put silver money in other buckets to deduct points from someone else.
The proceeds from both fundraisers will go to the Domestic Violence Prevention Center, located on East Main Street in Murfreesboro. The shelter takes in victims of domestic violence and gives them shelter, legal council, child services and more.
“The shelter feeds them, gives them a place to stay and offers support,” said Olivia Nodine, a political science major and member of Alpha Chi Omega.
The sorority also helps by donating and volunteering their time to help the shelter.
“We volunteer and donate items that they might be in need of,” Nodine said. “Like right now, they are out of underwear for men and women. We also donate a lot of our time by going over and helping play with the children that are there.”
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