Lambuth's Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Raises Awareness and Support for Homeless

Jackson, Tenn., Feb. 15, 2010:

The gentlemen of Lambuth's Sigma Phi Epsilon (SPE) fraternity will be hosting their fourth annual SPE Box City the night of Friday, Feb. 19 outside of Northside United Methodist Church.

The SPE Box City event is held each year as part of the Fraternity's philanthropy, in order to raise awareness and support for homeless. The young men sleep in boxes from 4:30 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and collect donations. Items donated will be taken to Jackson's Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) Saturday morning.

"Last year, we raised more than $200 and received more than 1,500 items to donate to RIFA," said Dan Overheim, vice president of communications for Sigma Phi Epsilon. "This year, we're hoping to increase those amounts tenfold with the help of the Jackson community and Lambuth faculty, staff and students."

Overheim explained that homelessness is an issue that needs to be addressed. According to a 2007 study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are close to 750,000 homeless people in the United States. Of those, over 8,000 homeless people live in Tennessee. Approximately, 25 percent of the homeless in America are children, and nearly half of those are under the age of six.

"This is an issue that needs to be addressed," Overheim said. "By spending the night outside in nothing but boxes, we're hoping to bring the situation of the homeless to the front of peoples' minds."

Donations of clothing, food, money or any other supplies that can benefit the homeless will be accepted during the SPE Box City event. The men will be located in the Northside United Methodist Church parking lot. For more information, please email Dan Overheim at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lambuth University is affiliated with the United Methodist church and was founded in 1843. In the ensuing years, Lambuth has earned a reputation as one of the South's premier liberal arts universities and has received national recognition as one of the nation's Top 250 Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and as one of the nation's "Top 100 Outstanding Colleges" by The Washington Post.