The Mississippi State chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon hosted a basketball tournament last week to benefit the Palmer Home for Children.
Nine different fraternities and sororities participated in games during the week-long event. The Paddy Murphy Classic raised over $3,000 this year. Last year it raised about $3,500, and next year the goal is $15,000.
“We hope to expand the tournament next year to get more students involved and, in turn, get more visibility for the Palmer Home,” newly-elected president Justin Bell said.
The tournament was named after a man in the Al Capone era, Bell said. Paddy Murphy stole money from Al Capone and took refuge in an SAE home for several months. He vowed to owe SAE for the rest of his life. The name Paddy Murphy is a long-standing tradition with Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Bob Schwanebeck, executive director for Palmer Home, said Palmer Home provides a long-term residential facility for children who have no other place to live.
“Our children come at a young age and stay with us long-term,” Schwanebeck said.
The Columbus campus includes seven cottages that house 53 children ranging from two-year-olds to high school students. They also support seven students in college.
Another campus, located in Hernando, houses 12 children in two cottages. Schwanebeck said the Palmer Home receives a lot of donations and help from organizations at MSU.
“We really appreciate the contributions they make,” Schwanebeck said.
For the past 11 years, SAE has invited the Palmer Home kids to a cookout and baseball game. Last week after their cookout the fraternity took the kids to see the Bulldogs take on the Memphis Tigers.
“It’s a lot of fun hanging out with the kids,” Bell said. “They were so excited when they got to the house. We could barely keep up with them.”
Schwanebeck said, “Palmer Home appreciates SAE hosting our children for a cookout and a trip to see State play Memphis in baseball.”
“Our kids enjoyed the time with the students and attending the game,” he said.