Kappa Sigma Fire, the Fraternal Community Unites

It has been too long since we have updated our blog, but I guess now is as good of a time as ever.

This week our neighbors, the gentlemen of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, lost their home in an extremely severe house fire.

It is so sad to see members of our community lose their home, belongings and feeling of security.  We are however, SO incredibly lucky to be members of the fraternal community at SJSU.  It is fabulous to see fraternity and sorority chapters unite with local families, community members and the university to provide relief in this time of need for Kappa Sigma. 

The members that were displaced by the fire have temporary housing on campus and in other fraternity houses.  The community has come together to donate money and goods to replace the items lost in the fire.  Old Navy even provided special discounts for the brothers and for community members to purchase items like socks, underwear and other basics for the men in addition to providing them with various free items. 

Two donation sites have been set up to help the brothers of Kappa Sigma purchase necessary items like food, furniture, cell phones and lap tops.  If you're interested in donating, here are the links:  SJSU Office of Advancement Relief Fund and Kappa Sigma Relief Fund set up by their alumni.

Delta Zeta is helping out our neighbors in any way we can.  Our chapter donated $500 to their relief fund and our alumnae have set up a Chevy's fundraiser to help add to their relief fun.  Twenty five percent of all food purchases will be donated to Kappa Sigma.  Here is a link with information for the event.

Additionally our active and alumnae members have collected toiletries like towels, razors, deodorant and other goods for the brothers.  One of our members mothers even donated pillows and pillow cases for all of the members displaced by the fire.  In her words, "I am a mom and my heart breaks thinking that these boys are without a home while they are away at college.  I figure they could use a mother's touch.  The least I could do was provide them with comfortable pillows and pillow cases--even if some of them are pink!"

Our community is uniting as well to plan so very cool events with the goal of raising more funds for Kappa Sigma.  Spearheaded by the Interfraternity Council, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Delta Upsilon Fraternity, a carnival type event will hopefully be held sometime in August with all of the fraternity and sorority chapters participating by hosting a booth, game, inflatable, food item, or items for purchase. 

Thank you everyone for your support of Kappa Sigma.  Delta Zeta will continue to support the brothers of Kappa Sigma as they rebuild their home and their personal lives.  Additionally, we would like to encourage our community members to look into purchasing renters insurance to protect their personal belongings in case of future disasters. 

The fire took several hours and 90 fire fighters to extinguish

Ariel views after the fire was extinguished