Yesterday, for the 28th consecutive year, the UW fraternity Kappa Sigma kicked off their annual Apple Cup Pass-Run at Husky Stadium.

The Pass-Run is a competition between the UW and Washington State University chapters of the fraternity. Money raised goes to benefit Northwest Harvest.

Twelve members of the UW chapter came out and ran the opening lap across the bowl. Husky football coach Tyrone Willingham came to show his support for the event.

"This should stir the blood of every Husky," he said.

The event began in Husky Stadium this year. Members of Kappa Sigma will run to Wenatchee to give the hand off to members of the WSU chapter, said Chris Petz, the Kappa Sigma treasurer. The competition rotates between starting here and at WSU each year.

At the trade-off in Wenatchee, the Lions Club, in conjunction with the Rotary Club, will host a reception for the event.

After the reception, members of the WSU chapter of Kappa Sigma will take it back to Martin Stadium. Although WSU won last year's fundraising competition, Petz said he is confident that this year the UW chapter would come out ahead.

"Currently, we're at $14,000 and we will probably raise [a total of] $17,000 by the time this is over," he said.

Fundraising starts early in the year at the first Husky home game, before the school year begins, said Kyle Smith, Kappa Sigma's philanthropy chair.

"We go to all the home game tailgates and ask for donations," he said. "We also get business sponsors and get donations from our alumni."

Funds are also raised by tabling and from family or personal donations, Petz said. The fraternity has been donating the money to Northwest Harvest for six years.

Smith said he first got involved two years ago, when he was a freshman and he was excited that a few fraternity members could get together and raise over $15,000 to donate to Northwest Harvest from a few tailgate events.

Northwest Harvest is the largest hot food provider in the state and also provides other goods such as canned foods. They serve the entire state and their Seattle office is located downtown.

"We donate to them because they are a small, good organization that does a lot," Petz said. "By donating to the Northwest Harvest, we can see real, local results."

Reporter Chris Paredes: news@thedaily.washington.edu