West Chester University Honors Fraternity Holds Pedestrian Safety Campaign and Fundraiser for Foundation

West Chester University Honors Fraternity Holds Pedestrian Safety Campaign and Fundraiser for Foundation

Phi Sigma Pi students encouraging safety for pedestrians in front of the Sykes Student Union on the campus at West Chester University

On Saturday, March 20, 2010 members of Phi Sigma Pi at West Chester University held a Benefit Concert which raised over $1,200 to be donated to charities on behalf of the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation.  The Foundation is matching all funds raised at the concert. Amber Staska, President of Phi Sigma Pi and Casey’s best friend, took a leadership role in organizing the event, which wrapped up a week-long awareness campaign about pedestrian safety.

The ballroom at Sykes Student Union was filled with the sounds of music by The Hint, as well as Chris D’Esposito and DNA.  A slideshow of photographs of Casey played in the background. Students paid a $5 donation at the door, and were able to purchase raffle tickets; “Casey” bracelets; bumper magnets that promote pedestrian safety; and t-shirts that read “I brake for pedestrians… brake for me.”

The week leading up to the concert, members of Phi Sigma Pi educated other students and members of the community about the dangers of distracted driving. By standing outside of the Sykes Student Union at the crosswalks, with posters and signs, they were able to encourage drivers to pay closer attention to the road, as well as to make sure pedestrians make use of both the crosswalks and the sidewalks. Students signed pink hands to signify their commitment to safe driving by “raising a hand for awareness”. Strings of dozens of these pink hands adorned the wall of the concert hall Saturday night.

Pink lights wrapped the stage as the bands performed in front of a slideshow of photographs of Casey

How were the students able to connect with Casey Feldman, who attended Fordham University? As pointed out by Casey’s mother, Dianne Anderson in addressing the students, both Casey and her brother, Brett have numerous friends, in addition to Amber, who attend West Chester University.  “The accident happened on an otherwise normal summer afternoon, and it could just as easily have been any one of you whose life was  cut short by a momentary distraction on the part of a driver.”

Amber said that she hoped people would be inspired to make a difference after hearing about Casey. “We wanted to give back to the community, get our name out there and celebrate Casey’s life,” she said. “We want people to know Casey’s story and that those types of accidents are preventable.”

The efforts of the fraternity align with one of Casey’s passions: a commitment to service. The proceeds from the concert and sales will be equally divided among the Sarnelli House, which helps the needy and poor of Philadelphia, Main Line Animal Rescue, which finds loving homes for abandoned animals, and The Partnership for Safe Driving, which is dedicated to educating Americans about all forms of dangerous driving.

As a surprise to all, Amber Staska took the microphone and sang four songs dedicated to Casey, while accompanied by her father Chip, sister, Jackie, and WCU friend, Zach. During the benefit, a video created by Nathan Kutz and Phi Sigma Pi was played as a tribute to Casey. Students from West Chester were asked what they will do “because of Casey,” and explained how they were inspired by her story. The video can be viewed here.

Phi Sigma Pi students at the “Raising a Hand for Awareness” station at the concert

More:

Photos from the concert

Photos from the weeklong safety campaign

Concert videos

Read the article in The Quad, the student newspaper of West Chester University, Phi Sigma Pi Raises Awareness for Safe Driving

Read the article in Seventeen Magazine   (Sept. 2010, p. 221) about the event.

Dianne Anderson is the mother of the late Casey Feldman and co-founder of the The Casey Feldman Foundation and its sponsored project, EndDD.org.

5 thoughts on “West Chester University Honors Fraternity Holds Pedestrian Safety Campaign and Fundraiser for Foundation”

  1. […] will save many lives, a lot of people wanted our new bumper magnets. We also made them available at the successful benefit concert at West Chester University. We’re pleased to say that they’re now on the entire fleet of Ocean City government vehicles as […]

  2. […] Organization for Youth Safety, and matched by the Foundation. Funds raised by the Fraternity this year surpassed last year’s proceeds by some $600. Fraternity brothers Maureen Alle, Becka Cancelosi, and Kelcie Ireson taking tickets at […]

  1. janice gallagher March 29, 2010

    Dearest Amber and members of Phi Sigma Pi,

    As Casey’s aunt, I am proud of all of you for taking on such a worthy cause. Had it not been for the drivers momentary distraction, Casey would be graduating college this spring with rest of you. I think I can safely speak for anyone who has ever been behind the wheel of a vehicle when I say that distractions occur all of the time and perhaps even more-so today due to harried schedules, cell phones, etc. We are all too easily and too frequently distracted by our own concerns that we often forget that we are driving a machine that is quite capable of maiming and killing another human being.
    You gals are doing a very noble thing and are likely saving lives that you will never really know about; but just know that you ARE saving lives. After all, miracles happen every day without our even recognizing them as such.
    My love to all of you. And may God bless you with all that is good,
    Casey’s Aunt Janice

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