Alpha Tau Omega will sponsor its annual “Cornhole for a Cure” event next weekend to raise money for community cancer survivor Bill Holloway. The fraternity is encouraging students to participate by forming teams of two and registering for the tournament this week. The tournament will be held at 1 p.m. April 19.

This is the third year Alpha Tau Omega has put on “Cornhole for a Cure,” which was named the 2007 Greek philanthropy of the year by the Inter Greek Programming Board. Mark Mazzagatti, ATO public relations chair, said the fraternity came up with the event because so many students enjoy the game and might be inclined to participate.

Mazzagatti said the fraternity decided to make the event more personal than its previous philanthropy efforts by sponsoring a cancer victim within the Kent State community. Each year ATO has raised money to support the parent of a Kent State student battling cancer, he said. Mazzagatti said the financial and psychological lift provided by “Cornhole for a Cure” has been immeasurable for those involved.

This year’s event is especially personal to ATO members, Mazzagatti said, because recipient Holloway is the father of ATO brother and junior criminal justice major A.J. Holloway. Though he is now in remission, Holloway’s 5-year cancer battle has left the family with more than $10,000 in debt because of medical care.

Mazzagatti said all tournament proceeds will go directly to Holloway’s medical costs, and the tournament is open to anyone wishing to participate. Registration is $10 per person, and winning teams will receive prizes donated by local businesses including Franklin Square Deli, Campus Book and Supply, the Kent Plaza Theatre, Guy’s Pizza and Kent Lanes bowling alley. Hungry Howie’s will also provide free pizza to all participants.

Mazzagatti said last year’s “Cornhole for a Cure” event was very profitable, raising over $1,000, but he hopes this year’s event will be even more successful.

“Many of us have been affected by cancer in the past, so it’s important to help support the battle against cancer,” he said.

Interested teams should contact Mazzagatti at (330)212-1562 or [email protected], preferably by tomorrow.

Contact student health reporter Amanda Hayes at [email protected].