UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Agricultural fraternities and a sorority at Penn State's University Park campus raised nearly $800 for an AgrAbility farm family through their annual "Penny War" competition.

"For the third year, the fraternities and sorority coordinated and administered this event as a way of giving back to the agricultural community," says Linda Fetzer, Penn State project assistant and outreach coordinator for AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians.

Ronnie Sands from Delta Theta Sigma coordinated the event. Alpha Zeta hosted the Penny War banquet at which the check was presented to the McElwee family of Franklin County.

Tom and Becky McElwee attended the banquet with their son, Tyler, and vocational agriculture teacher, Gerry Reichard. Tyler was involved in an ATV accident and sustained a spinal cord injury. The Penny War funds will be used to modify the family's skid steer loader from foot control to hand control. This modification will allow Tyler to return to work at the family's receiving station, where they purchase and sell cattle as well as transport cattle to various parts of the country.

Penny War funds are collected by each fraternity and sorority and a traveling trophy is awarded to the group that collects the most funds. This year's trophy was awarded to Alpha Gamma Rho for collecting $522.97.

"AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians applauds the efforts of the agricultural fraternities and sororities for making a difference in the lives of a farmer with a disability who desires to continue working in production agriculture," says Fetzer.

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a part of a national information and technology network for farmers and farm families who continue to farm despite medical or physical limitations. This statewide project is a collaborative effort between Penn State Cooperative Extension and Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania and receives funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. AgrAbility services include on-site assessments of farm operations, information on assistive technology for farm worksites, peer/caregiver support, referral services, professional education and public awareness.

For more information about AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians or the annual Penny War competition, contact Connie Baggett, AgrAbility project director at 814-863-7868.

###

EDITORS: Contact Connie Baggett at 814-863-7868 or Linda Fetzer at 814-863-7490.

Photos of the Penny War can be obtained from Linda Fetzer at 814-863-7490.

Contacts:

Kim Dionis Kdionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax