Lilly Casolaro
News Editor
Nijhoom Roy
Staff Writer
In the spirit of Halloween, several of Troy’s organizations are hosting themed events this week as the holiday draws near.
One group is Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity, which will be holding its annual philanthropy event, “Trick or TKE,” on Saturday, Oct. 29, in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the organization’s national philanthropy.
According to its website, St. Jude’s mission “is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.”
Daniel Patterson, a junior political science major from Alpharetta, Georgia, and philanthropy chair of TKE, said he has been working to make the event a success.
According to Patterson, the fraternity hosted events leading up to the “Trick or TKE” event.
Events included a spirit night on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Santa Fe Cattle Co. and a banner competition and Quad Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This allowed people to make donations.
Patterson said he and a few brothers have been planning and preparing for Saturday’s event since August.
“After all the planning was complete, the first two things we made sure were that we had hired a DJ who would play the kind of music that people would enjoy and (that) we had the bar, Double Branch, ready,” Patterson said.
“We chose to organize the Trick or TKE party in Double Branch this year because … it would be more popular, and also, it has a bigger space, so we will be able to accommodate more people.”
Patterson said that there will also be a pumpkin carving and costume contest at the “Trick or TKE” event. Carved pumpkins are to be submitted before the event begins, and winners of both contests will be announced on the night of the event.
David Warren White, a senior chemistry major from Marianna, Florida, and president of TKE, said “Trick or TKE” has been a Halloween tradition for the chapter every year.
“I am glad that through this event we will be able to help pay for children’s treatment,” Warren said. “We want people to have a great time while helping a great cause.”
Troy softball is also organizing its annual event “Trunk or Treat” on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Troy Softball Complex.
According to Alexandria Hupp, assistant softball coach, this will be the third year for the event.
Hupp said that the softball players will be dressed in costumes and will have activity stations consisting of face painting, bobbing for apples and decorating pumpkins, to name a few.
“Families and kids should feel free to dress in their best costume to join our Troy University softball players and staff for a night filled with fun, games and treats,” Hupp said.
She said each year they have had a better turnout than the last, so this year they are hoping for the same.
Alpha Tau Omega is hosting a fall philanthropy week, “Octauberfest,” which began with spirit nights at Chick-fil-A Troy on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and at Momma Goldberg’s downtown on Wednesday, Oct. 26, both from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, “Wings for Warriors” night will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Square. Tickets can be pre-purchased or bought at the event for $5, which covers a plate of 10 wings, a side and a drink.
According to Kyle Shook, a sophomore broadcast journalism major from Montgomery and philanthropy chair for ATO, the atmosphere will be laid-back.
“What makes this year different from last year is that we are having it on the Square because we really wanted to open it up to the Troy community,” Shook said. “We really wanted to get families out there, and those not necessarily affiliated with the University.”
Union Road, a “ ’90s alternative, ’80s rock, country and party” band, will be playing at the ATO house from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.
Panhellenic women who participated in banner and social media contests will be announced on the same night. The winner of social media receives $50 toward philanthropy, and the winner of banner receives $100. A costume contest will also take place, and a prize will be awarded.
Tickets for this event are $7; however, if one purchases a Wings for Warriors ticket and a Band party ticket, the package is $10.
All proceeds raised will support Jeep Sullivan’s Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures Inc., which takes veterans from the Wiregrass area on hunting, camping and fishing trips, helping them “reconnect to life stateside.” Jeep Sullivan’s is not associated with the Wounded Warrior Project, according to Shook.
“To me, the best part of Wings for Warriors is the fact that Jeep Sullivan is at the event,” Shook said.
One of Shook’s main goals for the week is to provide more support and publicity for Sullivan and his organization.
“What I’m most looking forward to is seeing how expanding what we do from the university and reaching out to the community impacts Jeep (Sullivan) in the long run,” Shook said. “I really want to see the community really buying in and investing into this.”
The Troy Ad Club will be facilitating a “Monster Mash” event on Saturday, Oct. 29, in the Malone courtyard starting at 7 p.m.
“The Troy Ad Club is a club dedicated to not only graphic design students but all art students in the hopes of educating those in this field about the advertising world,” said Brittany Barfield, a senior graphic design major from Seale and president of Troy Ad Club.
The “Monster Mash” event will serve as a fundraiser for the club, and will be open and available to all students.
Barfield said there will be a costume contest with a grand prize of a $15 Wal-Mart gift card, and an Ad club T-shirt will be given as a second prize.
For those desiring to enter the costume contest, it will begin at 8 p.m., and the entry fee will be $2 for an individual and $3 for a couple. The costume winner will be judged and announced on the night of the event.
The second place prize will be awarded on Monday, Oct. 31, based on the most Facebook likes from the club’s page. Troy Ad Club’s Facebook page will provide further information and details of the event as well as the posting of the costumes.
The night will also feature music, art and a bake sale with items like cookies, cakes and Rice Krispies treats.
“I’m personally looking forward to the costumes and the snacks, but our goal is to have a fun time, a safe time and to bring people together over Halloween fun,” Barfield said.