APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
CU frat shows support for Columbine By Kim Castleberry
Members of a fraternity at the University of Colorado turned their annual dance into a fund-raiser to show support for those affected by the tragedy at Columbine High School.
Kappa Alpha fraternity has raised about $4,000 so far.
The April 20 school shootings, which left 15 people dead, hit particularly close to home at Kappa Alpha, whose members include nine Columbine graduates. Everyone in the house wanted to do something to help, said fraternity President Mark Schuwerk.
"There was never really a question," Schuwerk said. "It's something that we knew we were going to do right from the start, and we just did it. There was really no discussion."
The fraternity raised $1,000 during the dance, which was held the weekend after the tragedy, by raffling off a weekend at two Breckenridge condominiums owned by members' families. The house then decided to match those funds out of its own budget, Schuwerk said.
After hearing about Kappa Alpha's plans, the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association also matched the donations made during the dance, said Tom Lorz, a liaison for CU's Greek system.
"We were just excited to see these guys had taken the steps that they had," Lorz said. "It's not about recognition, but more to let other members of fraternities and sororities know that we as a Greek system are doing something."
The group received another $1,000 from random donations made by other fraternities and sororities.
About 75 percent of the money will go to the Healing Fund, set up by the Mile High United Way to help the victims' families, said Kappa Alpha member Billy Baber. The rest of the money will go to a foundation set up by the family of Lauren Townsend, one of the victims. Lauren's brother, Josh, is a CU senior and a close friend of Kappa Alpha members, Schuwerk said.
Kappa Alpha senior Angelo Chavez graduated from the high school in 1995 and has a younger sister who was in the building during the time of the shootings. Chavez said he spent most of that week in Littleton and when he came back, he was happy to learn about his fraternity brothers'plans.
The fraternity has encouraged other houses to raise money for the high school, Baber said. Kappa Alpha will continue to do so until the end of the semester.
May 10, 1999
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Camera Staff Writer
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BACKGROUND
Jefferson County sheriff's report Full index of the shooting News from the five days following the shootings Reconstruction of the shooting TimelineLocation the schoolFloorplanWeapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Man pleads innocent to helping Columbine killers get weapons Relatives angry about handling of case Parents of Columbine killer seek to limit evidence access Investigators meet with Harris' parents CHS investigators focus on computers FBI investigator's son linked to case Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Teenager threatens classmates Students accused of plotting shooting Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
Time: Duo sought immortality Aftershocks continue to hit Columbine Columbine lawsuits multiply High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny
Parents of Columbine shooters sued Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' What now? |
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GUNS AND LAW
Inaction on gun control could prompt ballot issues Democrats say they'll carry gun laws favored by Owens Owens says tougher laws wouldn't have prevented tragedy State senator plans to revive bill on concealed-handguns Despite pressure, more gun control measures unlikely Columbine dad lobbies Washington Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales
Gun control strife Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
A drive has been established to raise money for a memorial for the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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