A part of a fraternity’s semester each year goes toward putting on a philanthropic event and helping others. This month, Alpha Tau Omega at West Texas A&M University will be hosting theirs for the fall semester, with the proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House to help a family in need.

“The Tau Gate Toss is our fall philanthropy,” said Derek Vasquez, a senior and the chaplain of ATO. “We do it every year to raise money for a charity in the Texas panhandle, and this year it happens to be the Ronald McDonald House.”

The Ronald McDonald House is a place for families to stay when their children are receiving medical treatment. They call themselves “a home away from home.”

“We’re trying to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House,” said Salvador Ruiz, a junior and the philanthropy chair of ATO. “We agree with a lot of their beliefs and what they stand for so we try to help them out any way that we can.”

ATO will be raising the money for the Ronald McDonald House before the Buffs Wagon Wheel Game on Oct. 31 starting at 10 a.m. by doing a Corn Hole Tournament and also through sponsors.

“The teams will compete against each other at the Tau Gate Toss to win a prize,” said Michael Vargas, a senior and the secretary of ATO. “We will also get sponsorships for the tournament to help us raise money for the charity.”

Some of the sponsors will be United Supermarkets, Dominoes, Plains Builders and Ravage Cross Fit.

Not only is ATO hoping to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, but also to raise awareness within the community.

“We’re helping a family out,” said Vasquez. “It’s no personal satisfaction but to make sure we can help them out any way possible. It’s also to help raise awareness for the Ronald McDonald House, who they are, as well as their needs.”

When Vasquez pledged in spring 2013, the Ronald McDonald House was their charity of choice.

“I was able to go along when delivering the check,” said Vasquez. “Just seeing their reaction really hit home. It felt good to see that the money we raised really could help them out with their expenses.”

The Tau Gate Toss is a way for the Greeks to give back to the community and interact with families in need.

“You hear so much negativity about the Greeks,” said Vargas. “But in all reality, we’re committed to serving the community, becoming better leaders and, more importantly, helping families in need.”