One Groups Reason for supporting the March of Dimes, March For Babies
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Akron, Ohio Alumni Chapter (Eta Tau Lambda)
ByThomas A. Tatum
On Saturday May 10, 2008, the Men of the Akron Alumni Chapter (Eta Tau Lambda) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. joined nearly 1,700 people in the 2008 March for Babies at Akron’s Lock 3 Park.This annual event is the local March of Dimes largest fundraiser to provide support and education for families who deal with premature births. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children’s Hospital provides outstanding service daily.It is important for the community to understand that premature birth is an emotional roller coaster for families, economically, financially and emotionally.Unfortunately, the numbers speak for themselves:
In Ohio during 2003-2005 (average), the highest birth rates were to black women (74.1), followed by Asians (69.4), whites (60.9) and Native Americans (40.6).
Of all live births in Ohio during 2003-2005 (average), 81.8% were white, 15.8% were black, 0.2% were Native American and 2.2% were Asian.
“Many of our chapter members have had a direct connection with Premature births, including my family,” says Team Captain Thomas A. Tatum.He continues, “the March of Dimes has been one of our National Partners for over twenty years.Eta Tau Lambda has worked with promoting Project Alpha, a teen mentorship program and March for Babies (formerly, WalkAmerica.When my son was born three (3) months early in 2006, the experience galvanized our resolve.”
The Tatum Family has personally seen the benefits from the other side of the fundraising event.Tatum, his wife, Milistine, and daughter Lauren were blessed to welcome Thomas II (Tre’) in March of 2006. He was born three months early, weighing two pounds, one ounce. The first 78 days of his life at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were spent at Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Milistine Tatum spent six weeks in Akron General on bedrest prior to delivery.
In a symbolic gesture for the 2006 Walk, Tatum set a fundraising goal of $2,100.00 representing the 2 pounds, 1 ounce of Tre’s birth weight; he carried the same weight in dimes during the walk.Brother Larry Thomas calculated that Tatum would need approximately 427 dimes. By the time he was finished, Tatum raised over $3,400.
“The professional staffs helped my wife and our son with their essential needs. In the 2 years after his birth, Tre’ has some small issues that we are working through, however, you could never tell… he is running and climbing, basically doing everything a rough-and-ready boy should be doing,” Tatum said.
Tatum also serves as the Fraternity’s March for Babies Coordinator for the District of Ohio and the Midwestern Region.He also served as the 2008 March for Babies Event Chairman for the Akron Area.When Tatum asked members of the chapter why they supported this event, here are some of the comments:
You have located the website of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which is located in Akron, Ohio. Our website is designed for Brothers all; college and alumni members; as well as to offer some insight of the depth and greatness to prospective members of our dear fraternity. Its purpose is an ambitious one; to keep you well informed, provide easy access to what is taking place in our chapter and in the greater Akron community, and to proudly convey our fraternal history of over 100 years as fraternity and 47 years as a chapter.
