Mental Health Association of Monmouth County

Mental Wellness Happens Here

Sigma Pi Holds 2nd Annual Lift-a-Thon to Benefit MHA

/ News / Sigma Pi Holds 2nd Annual Lift-a-Thon to Benefit MHA
/ News / Sigma Pi Holds 2nd Annual Lift-a-Thon to Benefit MHA

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Thank you to Sigma Pi’s Delta-Beta Chapter at Monmouth University for hosting their second annual Lift-a-Thon to benefit MHA of Monmouth. The event, which was held at Rock Sports Club in Tinton Falls,  featured current Sigma Pi brothers who have made mental health awareness one of the priorities of their fraternity chapter.  “I’m a senior, and so this is the first year we’re on campus that’s somewhat normal,” said Devin Barros, reflecting on the toll the pandemic and its restrictions have taken on students across the country.

The Lift-a-Thon is Sigma Pi’s second awareness event of the year, having just hosted the Province Conference on campus a couple of weeks ago.  This gathering focused on the importance of mental wellness, with Dr. Chris McKittrick from the university’s Department of Counseling and Prevention Services as one of the keynote speakers.  “It was really cool,” said Sigma Pi brother Nick Zapata.  “We had over 200 guys from all over New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and as far away as Arizona [attend the conference]!”

Joe Palazzolo, Monmouth University professor and immediate past President of Sigma Pi Fraternity International, noted, “This semester is really the first where things are back to normal the way they were pre-pandemic…but I think for some students it’s a shock.  At least a few students have had to leave school, but it’s better that they recognize it early and get some help.”  Monmouth U’s counseling department is proactive in their support, offering every student 16 sessions a year if they choose to participate.

MHA of Monmouth is very grateful to all of the Sigma Pi brothers who participated in this Lift-a-Thon, as well as the sponsors they engaged to help support this event!