Alpha Sigma Tau has recently announced that it has brought Love Your Melon to McDaniel College.
Love Your Melon, or LYM, is an apparel brand that specializes in making hats for kids with cancer. According to LYM, the company is “dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer in America as well as supporting nonprofit organizations who lead the fight against pediatric cancer.”
This company is unique because of its Campus Crew Program. Over 700 colleges and universities, and more than 11,000 students, in the United States have joined together to support the company’s mission. Since 2012, LYM has donated more than 75,000 hats to children battling cancer. The company has also raised over a million dollars for pediatric cancer research.
McDaniel’s crew has a total of 20 members. Amy Watcher acts as the Crew Captain, and Syd Knadler is the Vice President.
The McDaniel College Campus Crew had a late start in its formation; however, they were still able to have the opportunity to spend National Love Your Melon Day with children battling cancer at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. They traveled from hospital room to hospital room giving out 50 Love Your Melon beanies, as well as light-up bracelets.
The children showed immense joy during the simple visits, and they loved choosing their own beanies. After visiting the children in their rooms, Alpha Sigma Tau had playtime with those who were well enough to venture out. It was an afternoon filled with board games, basketball and Minecraft video games, Halloween coloring, and even a few intense foosball competitions.
Every campus crew in the United States will participate in Superhero Day, which is held on Apr. 28, 2017. During Superhero Day, LYM’s goal is to hold 600 donation events and donate 10,000 hats. This is a special day where campus crews will acknowledge all the heroes in the fight against cancer—patients, families, and the hospital teams who provide tireless support.
As members of the crew, this allows members of Alpha Sigma Tau the opportunity to visit the families they sponsor at their homes and hospitals to create “therapeutic experiences and have a positive impact on [these families’] lives during and after treatment.”
Although the true heroes are the resilient children, the crew will dress up as superheroes for during events throughout the day. Small donation events include creating fun experiences and activities for one child to participate in that is specifically designed for them at their home. During this event the campus crew will bring a hat and wristband for the child they sponsor.
Large donation events will take place at hospitals where the crew will have the opportunity to visit from 10 to 100 children and give them each a hat and wristband.
Alpha Sigma Tau asks students to join them at future campus events. All will be posted on their social media pages. You can follow McDaniel’s crew’s pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to find out how you can get involved and help support the mission.
Alpha Sigma Tau will also hold promotional events where students and community members can buy LYM gear.
Help Alpha Sigma Tau make a difference in these incredible children’s lives. Visit the official loveyourmelon.com website to learn more about the company. LYM prides themselves on creating all of their products in the United States.
Remember to select McDaniel College’s Campus Crew during checkout when purchasing hats, apparel, and accessories—this will help expand the numbers of the crew, and help increase funds to plan events for the families.
If you know of a family who’s child is fighting cancer, please reach out to McDaniel’s crew; they would love to provide their support!
