News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UF fraternity sings to support Boston Marathon victims

FP PhiMA snodgrass

One local fraternity stepped up Wednesday to try and raise awareness and funds for the bombing in Boston.

The University of Florida Phi Mu Alpha chapter was in Turlington plaza singing "America the Beautiful" in support of the victims of the Boston Marathon Massacre.

President of Phi Mu Alpha Ismael Sandoval said his fellow fraternity members wanted to come together to do whatever they could to help support the victims through their art form.

"It's more about just getting the message across that we're here for those that were affected in the Boston incident, that we're here to support the country as a whole during such a terrible time," he said.

While the fraternity sang, many spectators made donations to the relief fund. Sandoval says he does not know exactly which fund the fraternity will donate too, but regardless,  the money will go to those affected by the bombing.

Phi Mu Alpha's Philanthropy Chairman Freddy Masterson said he noticed the Gainesville area could do more for the victims and hopes the event will inspire other students to do similar fundraising efforts.

"We couldn't help but notice a lot of stuff was going on in the North...and we just wanted to see if we could make our impact on that cause here," he said.

Masterson said that the event was not just about the funds raised.

"It's really not about the donations personally," he said. "I'd like to think we're doing this to kind of instill pride in our students in our university."

Serina Braddock wrote this story online.

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org