There was more than enough sausage to go around at Tufts on Saturday, Apr. 22.
That afternoon, the Tufts chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity hosted its first "Sausage Fest," an event to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
In addition to sausages, the fraternity sold hot dogs, soda and Tufts Emergency Medical Service (TEMS) shot glasses.
The shot glasses were conceived and created by the fraternity and were not approved or endorsed by TEMS itself.
The group raised between $300 and $350 at the event. All of the money will go toward testicular cancer research.
According to sophomore and Sigma Nu President David Kaminsky, the concept began as a joke but evolved into something serious.
Originally, "we wanted to be able to put up posters that said 'Sausage Fest,'" he said. "[But we realized] we could benefit a good cause instead of just being funny."
Fellow fraternity brother and sophomore Ethan Mandelup echoed Kaminsky's sentiments. He found the idea a "fun theme to donate to a good cause."
Sigma Nu philanthropy chair and head of social relations Stephen Riche, a sophomore, said that the fraternity decided to support the fight against testicular cancer because of its low profile.
"Most [money raised by] charitable organizations [goes] to other cancers," he said.
Testicular cancer is a relatively common affliction among college men. According to the Testicular Cancer Resource Center, the disease is the most common form of cancer in young adult males between the ages of 15 and 35.
While planning for the event, the fraternity contacted with the Jimmy Fund, a Boston-based cancer research foundation, which was enthusiastic about helping their cause.
The sausage slogan helped, too.
"The cancer institute got a kick out of it," Riche said. "They were laughing on the phone."
The Jimmy Fund also helped Sigma Nu to plan the fundraiser. Mandelup said the foundation sent the group instructions on everything from advertising to gauging interest to making sure all aspects of the event, such as the music volume, fell within legal boundaries.
"They were very supportive," he said.
The Internet played an important role in advertising for the event: Ads were placed on Facebook.com and Tuftslife.com. But Mandelup said that word of mouth was the "most efficient method" of raising awareness.
Kaminsky said the event took about six weeks to plan. The fraternity went through Fraternity and Sorority Affairs for approval on its banners and music level.
Riche said that Facilities lent a grill to the fraternity for the event.
"Tufts in general has been very helpful," he said.
Unfortunately, Saturday's temperature was in the low 50s, and the sky was overcast. As a result, the live bands that were supposed to play pulled out.
Still, the brothers considered the day to be a success. "Given the weather, we've been getting a good number [of people]," Mandelup said.
Kaminsky noted that "other Greek houses [were] very supportive," adding that they had been "coming by in packs."
Freshman John Earl was intrigued by the huge sign on the street reading "Sausage Fest" and stopped to buy a hot dog.
"They're doing something very good for a good cause," he said. "I'm glad to help them out."
Kaminsky said that Sigma Nu members from the fraternity's MIT chapter came to contribute to the cause.
With the newly gained knowledge of how to organize such a fundraiser, Kaminsky said, Sigma Nu plans to make this an annual event.
"Hopefully it will be bigger" next year, he said.
