In order to raise money for babies born with birth defects, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority wanted to take University of Memphis students back to a favorite childhood pastime - jumping rope.
"We call it Jumping for a Cause," said Sheena Freeman, senior biology major and member of the sorority. "Students give donations for how long they think they can jump and then they try and jump for that long. It's a dollar per minute and they can choose between single rope or double-dutch, which is two jump ropes."
All of the proceeds will be donated to The March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies lives.
"I think a program like this is awesome," said C. Malaika White, senior journalism major. "I have children, so I understand the importance of a program that is dedicated to helping babies."
She pledged to jump for five minutes.
"I tried but I could only jump for about a minute," she said. "It's been years since I've jumped rope. I remember being really good in elementary school but now I suck."
This is the first year that the members of Zeta Phi Beta have held this event and they wanted to attract people to the prospect of exercise and doing an activity that most people haven't done for years.
"Jumping rope is something that everyone did in elementary school, so we wanted to help bring back memories," Freeman said. "The biggest donation we got was $7, but the person wasn't able to jump for that long.
"People have also been donating without jumping, so we should make a few hundred dollars to donate."
March of Dimes was started in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was diagnosed with polio as a child. Although polio has been beaten medically, March of Dimes continues its efforts to help children.
Since its beginning more that 65 years ago, the organization has helped save the lives of millions of babies and continues to work today. Approximately 480,000 babies will be born prematurely this year.
"I love doing things like this for the babies," said Karita Carr, senior journalism major. "It's a great cause and it brings back a lot of memories. I pledged to jump for a minute and I made it because I'm the best jumper out here."
