The snow couldn’t stop Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis.
According to its website, “RAMS is a campus-wide philanthropy to raise money and awareness to benefit the local MS Institute.”
After 21 years as a philanthropic organization, RAMS reached its $1 million milestone in late February.
This year specifically, RAMS raised $65,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Institute.
“It feels great to be a part of raising that much money,” RAMS Tri-Director Drew Dampf said.
The money directly benefits those affected by MS, a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system. RAMS has purchased ramps, cooling vests and other necessary items for people through MS Institute.
“It goes to people,” Tri-Director Bri Herriott said. “It’s not going to research.”
Most of the money came from events like Rock It, in which 22 Greek chapters performed lip-synched, choreographed dances over three nights at The Blue Note, according to previous Maneater articles.
“We were nervous with the snow, but we had full houses nearly every night,” Herriott said.
Out of the 22 competitors, Delta Tau Delta fraternity and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority were announced as the overall winners of the Rock It competition on Feb. 22.
Although Rock It was the biggest event of RAMS, it was only one of many. Other events included banner making, Mic Night, Speaker Night, Jail N’ Bail and Comedy Night. This year also featured two new events: Bowling Night and Downtown Awareness Day.
Greek chapters were the main participants in the RAMS events.
Delta Tau Delta, along with winning the Rock It event, had all of its members participate in service benefitting those with MS.
Bressler said the events were a team effort.
“(RAMS is) a great opportunity for an organization to raise awareness and funds for something everyone has a personal connection with,” Bressler said.
RAMS directors are working toward providing more opportunities for non-Greeks to participate, specifically the Residence Halls Association.
“Many of the events are centered toward the Greek community,” Tri-Director Stefanie Duff said. “We’re trying to open it up.”
RAMS’ involvement features more than just events – it features service.
MS makes doing everyday tasks difficult, so volunteers visit people with MS every year, helping them with chores, cleaning, baking and other necessary tasks, Duff said.
RAMS’ main focus is raising awareness of MS.
“(MS) is very prevalent in the U.S.,” Herriott said. “It doesn’t get a lot of attention, though.”
The tri-directors all said raising community awareness was more important than raising money.
“It’s never about the money we raise,” Dampf said. “It’s about awareness.”