Dollars raised to support the organization’s philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network
Belmont University’s chapter of Phi Mu sorority recently hosted their annual fall philanthropy event, BonnaMu. This years event, dubbed BonnaMu Unplugged, featured an appearance from a big name artist that was sure to draw a crowd, Hunter Hayes. Through fundraising efforts of both ticket sales and an online fundraiser, the organization was able to raise a total of more than $63,000 for their philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network.
Before Hayes made his headlining appearance, several student performers were featured as opening acts including Taylor Bickett, Sydney Dumler, Delaney Schueler and Maggie Renfroe. BonnaMu was organized by Phi Mu philanthropy chair Britney Sams who said she wanted to change the feel of the event this year and make it more intimate, hence the Unplugged name.
Sams said bringing in Hayes to play came from a desire to make the event bigger than it was in previous years. “I knew that I wanted to make BonnaMu a larger event than it had been in years past. With Belmont’s huge influence in music, I thought that this event had so much more potential to be filled, so we gave it our best shot to bring it up a notch this year,” she said.
Money raised from the annual event, which took place in McAfee Concert Hall on campus, will go to support the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“Children’s Miracle Network is a very important part of our organization because it is one thing that ties all Phi Mu chapters across the nation together,” Sams said. “It allows us to come together for a cause that is so much greater than ourselves and opens our eyes to the passion and perseverance that the children and their families in this organization have in their daily lives.”
First established in 1919 by Congress, Veterans Day is intended to thank those who have served in the military – in war or peace time. Belmont’s event are an opportunity for the university community to do just that. As of Fall 2018, Belmont has more than 280 veterans and military family members enrolled across campus.
“It is instantly rewarding for scholars to see kids’ eyes light up throughout the evening and to hear laughter throughout the community center,” she said. “The scholars can see the reward of their volunteer efforts right away, which is extremely meaningful and powerful.”
Two Belmont nursing students, graduate student Jaanki Bhakta and undergraduate student Grace Waters, received March of Dimes Nursing Student of the Year Awards at the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Banquet held on Belmont’s campus today.
