University of Richmond Students to Teeter for Tots

February 7, 2002

Acting like children will be acceptable behavior for students at the University of Richmond Feb. 11-15. That's when Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity will sponsor its seventh annual Teeter for Tots, a 96-hour fund-raising seesaw marathon to benefit the Richmond Friends Association.

Students will pay $3 for half-hour sessions at one end of a teeter-totter. Ten students can seesaw at one time on five teeter-totters set up in Tyler Haynes Commons. Throughout the event, students can also purchase chances in several raffles, receive door prizes, listen to live music and participate in a bachelor-bachelorette auction.

"It's APO's biggest event of the year," said Leslee Wallace, one of organizers. Last year, APO raised more than $3,000 for the Richmond Friends Association, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Richmond's inner-city youths. The association sponsors programs for more than 4,000 children and their parents, including child-care programs that teach children communication and study skills. Classes for adults include parenting and leadership skills.

At Teeter for Tots' opening ceremony Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m., APO will name Dr. Richard A. Mateer honorary teeter chairman. Mateer, who has been dean of the university's Richmond College since 1975, has announced that he will retire in June. A group of children from a Friends Association day care center will also participate in the opening ceremony.