Auburn University and the University of Alabama's Theta Chi chapters are competing to raise money for United Service Organizations, according to Thomas Miller, Auburn's Theta Chi president and junior in accounting.
Miller said Theta Chi's national organization formed a partnership with USO to support the troops.
"We figured that we can take a rivalry and twist it into something that can be competitive and for a good cause," Miller said.
Miller said the former presidents of the University of Alabama and Auburn University Theta Chi chapters met to discuss how they can improve their philanthropic efforts. They decided to form the fundraising competition.
William Ball, former Auburn Theta Chi president and senior in building science, said the chapters have come together.
"We all decided it would be better for us to give back to the community since our national organization has partnered with USO," Ball said. "We combined that and wanted our chapters to be better and show that they are from the great state of Alabama."
Ball said the goal for both chapters is $10,000.
The Auburn chapter has raised $440 since the fundraiser started Jan. 9.
Those supporting Auburn should text USO TIGERS to 80888 to donate $5.
The money will be charged to the person's monthly phone bill, according to Ball.
Ball said Theta Chi chose to use texting as a means of donation because it was convenient and easy for everyone who had access to a phone.
The idea to use texting as a means of donating originated from a Red Cross advertisement the University of Alabama's former Theta Chi president saw, according to Clayton Williams, Theta Chi president at Alabama and junior in accounting.
Ball said he hopes to get in touch with a local Veterans of Foreign Wars organization to partner up with them and spread the word about the fundraiser.
The Theta Chi chapter at the University of Alabama is looking into partnering up with other fraternities and sororities or have a concert to spread awareness of the fundraiser, according to Williams.
The fundraiser is expected to occur every fall semester around the time of the Iron Bowl so both chapters can enjoy the Iron Bowl while also raising money, Williams said.
"What is the biggest thing that happens in the state of Alabama, most likely bigger than the elections of the actual government of the state and U.S. state?" Ball said. "It's the Iron Bowl, so we figured if we could harness that competition between Auburn University and the University of Alabama and get more people from the outside, then we have a real chance of being able to make some money and give it to USO."
According to Ball, the competition will last until early March.
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