NFL Games Add to NY Omega Epsilon's Coffers

For the past three years the members of NY Omega Epsilon, at SUNY Buffalo, have gone to every Buffalo Bills home game, but it’s not to watch the games it’s to work them.  The guys work in concession stands during the game.  They sell food, beer and other products, while also making tips.  They came up with this fundraiser idea to help their members pay for dues and chapter formals, but it has also become a fun experience for everyone.

Planning and organizing a fundraiser like this is not always easy explained here by Eli Jacobson, the Fundraiser Chair for NY Omega Epsilon, “The first year was trial and error. Then when I took over, I better organized everything. We have to count inventory before and after each event. We have to set up and take down the stand as well as clean, before and after, sell the products and be professional. I organized the inventory in excel spreadsheets, where I also kept track of incoming money. I also had to teach people their positions and assign everyone positions each game.”

“It is a ton of fun. Working with all of your best friends makes it not feel like work. We all get a chance to joke around and find unique ways to sell our products. Since we are all friends, it makes doing the work easier because we are all willing to help one another. The toughest part is getting all of the guys to drive 25 minutes to the stadium at 9:30 AM,” says Eli when explaining what working this event is like.

In order to keep this fundraiser successful and group participation high, the chapter has an incentive program for its members explains Eli, “We encourage brothers to participate by giving incentives to work a certain amount of games. If a brother works six out of ten home games, then they will receive a free formal (usually worth $200). Other money earned goes toward dues payments for the spring semester. Every brother is required to work one game a season.”

During every Buffalo Bills home game of the season, including the preseason, the chapter receives about $400 to $1100 dollars a game. The Chapter’s earnings are determined by a percentage of the sales their concession stand makes for that game. Not only does this fundraiser help them out financially, but it also creates a better chapter and opportunities for every member to enjoy more events. “Now people can pay dues and come around to more events. Brother participation in social and fraternal events has increased because they can afford to attend certain events. We have also been able to pay back nationals a lot of money. Currently, our fraternity is the strongest it has ever been, and it has been linked to working the Buffalo Bills games,” said Eli when ask how has this fundraiser changed your chapter.

Setting up fundraisers like this is not hard, but require planning, work and group participation. Any chapter can contact local sports teams or facilities to ask about fundraiser employees. Chapters like NY Omega Epsilon have benefited from these fundraisers in more ways then one and other chapters can do the same by following their example.