The University News

Issue date: 8/31/09 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Casey Osburn Bayno works the crowd at Lambdapalooza.

On Aug. 25, UMKC students gathered at the University Playhouse for a benefit concert.

But it wasn't just any concert. It was the third annual Lambdapalooza.

Hosted by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the benefit concert had two purposes: brotherhood and philanthropy.

"We've got a lot of different reasons for doing this," said Derrick Neuner, secretary for UMKC's Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter. "First of all, it's for one of our brothers who went missing in Chicago. His name is Jesse 'Opie' Ross."

On Nov. 21, 2006, Ross disappeared from a fraternity convention in Chicago. The Lambda Chi's now honor him at their annual benefit concert.

"We're pretty much just raising awareness for that," Neuner said. "He was a Lambda Chi with us and we just didn't want to forget about him."

Jesse's father, Don Ross, also attended the concert.

Another reason they host the concert is for their philanthropy, Watermelon Fest.

Sponsored by the Lambda Chi's, Watermelon Fest is a competition among the UMKC sororities. It includes events such as watermelon toss and seed spitting.

There is also a canned food drive, with proceeds going to Harvesters, a local food pantry.

"It's our annual philanthropy to do Watermelon Fest," Neuner said. "Last year we donated 85,000 pounds of food and we ranked seventh at nationals with all the Lambda Chi chapters across America."

Recruited a year ago at this event, Neuner saw an opportunity for improvement.

"Last year when I was recruited, it needed work," he said. "It was something I felt like I could do."

This year, with barrels set up for canned food donations, the Lambda Chi's hope to more than triple their donation amount.

"I felt like we could do much better than that," Neuner said, "so we raised the bar and set a goal of 250,000 pounds this year."

Neuner worked with the fraternity's philanthropy chair (who worked with Harvesters) to make sure this was the most successful Lambdapalooza yet.

"It was a group effort, no doubt," Neuner said.

With live bands, a DJ and plenty of Monster energy drinks, Lambdapalooza 2009 was a hit.

hsaskin@unews.com

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