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Issue 6 | Volume 150 | October 8, 2018
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Making Waves in the Community
David Marsilio Sigma Chi Neanther Santos Sigma Chi Cassandra Harrison Alpha Xi Delta
What’s a typical Saturday in Florida? Good weather likely means the answer is a day outside, possibly at the beach. Especially if you just finished your first round of exams- like many Embry-Riddle students had this past week. Some students, however, did not take a typical trip to the beach. A community of students, many of which were Greek, headed to Jacksonville this past Saturday to volunteer for a special service event called Surfers For Autism. Surfers For Autism is a nonprofit organization that hosts children with autism at numerous beaches and gives them the opportunity to learn how to surf. The event, hosted in Jacksonville on October 6th, was no small ordeal. The 200 avail
able surfer slots were quickly filled, and a number of eager participants were on a waiting list. These many surf students required an equally powerful force of volunteers to run the all-day event. Volunteers who knew how to surf served as instructors while other volunteers assisted the instructors in the water. A morning and afternoon session of surfing was split with a provided lunch for all those in attendance. Surfers For Autism hosted an energetic and cheerful event that was a pleasure to attend. It could be said that helping autistic children learn to surf was the best part of the day. There was a visible difference in the way the children acted before and after going out on the water. Often times it only took one wave for the participant to have a massive grin on their face. Some of the children were even non-verbal, meaning that they do
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not talk at all. This event is known for bringing something out of these children such that when they ride a wave, they can’t help but say “Again!” It is noted that the learning achievement associated with Surfers For Autism could do things that therapy could not. Whether they were able to stand up on their first run or never stood up at all, everyone had a smile on their face. Alpha Xi Delta at Embry-Riddle has proudly been volunteering at Surfers For Autism for a number of years. It is a cause that is very near and dear to their hearts. The sisters often become involved with helping the autistic community through their philanthropy, which is Autism Speaks. This start has then lead to the sisters going to events all around Florida to support a
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cause that they truly believe in. Alpha Xi Delta has also encouraged the entire Embry-Riddle Greek community to participate. The Greek life community from Riddle was more than willing to oblige Alpha Xi Delta’s call. Nearly 100 Embry-Riddle students attended the event, most of which were Greek; including members from all of the Greek organizations on campus. It is also a testament to the strength and unity of the Greek community as a whole. Everyone is always willing to help one another and support each other’s philanthropic causes to make a larger difference in the world. Overall, although Surfers For Autism is not an event that raises money in any way, the Embry-Riddle community has shown their loving support for the autistic community and each other.
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