Fraternity hosts charity event for disabled

by Vicky Martinez
Staff Writer

Chi Delta Omicron charity concert for the fight against spinal cord injuries took place April 18 at the University of La Verne Founders Auditorium.

The concert was held in honor of Essie Elliton, a former ULV student who was injured in a car accident a couple of years ago. Because of the injuries she suffered during the accident, she was left paralyzed.

The concert opened with a rhythmic performance from the ULV dance team and continued with various performances by dancers, rappers and musicians.

A teenage R&B group called Sohl presented one of the most outstanding acts of the night, making the audience clap to the sound of their voices.

The acts presented through the night showed the effort and enthusiasm of such an altruistic event.

The ULV dance team also showed great effort because they presented several dancing performances during the two-hour show.

The event was free, but a $3 donation was asked of the audience.

These donations contributed to the $6,000 raised throughout the night.

All the proceeds were to go to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, which was established in 1948.

The organization's main concern is to provide quality care for patients with spinal cord injuries.

The NSCIA has many chapters throughout the United States.

Some members have physical disabilities while others do not.

Chapter members participate in a variety of activities.

They work with local and national officials and agencies to develop better programs and services and act as community advocates for improved access, housing, transportation, employment and leisure time activities for disabled people.

Peer support and other services are also provided. These are fundamental aspects of living that 500,000 people with spinal cord injuries or diseases must cope with after they have been rehabilitated and have returned to community life, said a member of NSCIA resource center.

Lesley Araujo, a sophomore liberal studies major and member of the dance team, said putting on the charity concert was really hard because they started working on it in March.

However, she said the way the concert turned out in the end was what really counted.

"We raised a lot of money, and we are really happy about that," Araujo said.

The night ended with a raffle, which included prizes such as a DVD player, a 25" color television and many gift certificates to various local businesses.