Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

photo by Katie Morris

Greeks get into the giving mood

By megan fedele

mbfedele@vwc.edu

Fraternities and sororities are not all about fun and games; fundraising, while it can be fun, is a vital part to any organization, fraternities and sororities included. Virginia Wesleyan College is currently home to three fraternities and four sororities. These organizations sponsor events on campus each year that create both something for students to look forward to as well as for them to raise money for the organizations.

Each organization has a fun and unique way of getting the campus involved and raising money, not only for their chapters, but also their national philanthropies. For example, Phi Sigma Sigma held their annual “Rock-a-Thon” recently to raise money for their national philanthropy, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation which supports the National Kidney Foundation.

Coming up next semester, Sigma Sigma Sigma will be hosting their “Jail-a-Thon” in which they take students, faculty and staff members, and put them “behind bars” and collect money to either keep them in jail or free them from it. This will raise money for their national philanthropy, The Robbie Page Memorial.

“It’s always fun to see the hostages beg for money from behind bars, and watch the free students laugh at them as they walk by,” said Sigma Sigma Sigma senior Lindsey Williams. “Plus, it is important to get together as a group and give back to the community – which is what this fundraiser does.”

On Nov. 7, 2007 Alpha Sigma Alpha hosted its male pageant, “Mr. Wesleyan.” Alpha Sigma Alpha’s national philanthropies are the Special Olympics and the S. June Smith Center for children with developmental needs.

“Fundraisers are an essential part of our organization. The money not only goes towards nationals and events we sponsor, but a large part of it gets donated toward our philanthropies,” said senior Jeni Meyers, a current Alpha Sigma Alpha member. “I think it is great to know that the efforts we put forth are being used to help other people.”

Fundraisers don’t always have to be huge events, Phi Kappa Tau holds simple, but effective, donut sales and car washes to raise money.

Phi Kappa Tau also assists Jaimie Labbe’s family in an annual telethon which raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Jaimie Labbe is former fraternity brother who was diagnosed and died from Muscular Dystrophy. They also volunteer for the MDA and hold the Jaimie Labbe Roundball Classic, a basketball tournament between current members and alumni of Phi Kappa Tau to raise money for and awareness of MDA.

Perhaps one of the most interactive, and hilarious, of the events was held recently by the men in Kappa Alpha. “KA in a Dress for a Day” was their slogan, and their intention was to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The money raised for MDA is sent to the National Office in Lexington, Va., where it is added with the other chapters and presented to Jerry Lewis by the National Undergraduate Chairman at the Labor Day Telethon, which Lewis hosts. The idea was that if the members of Kappa Alpha could raise over $500, then all of them would wear dresses for a whole day.

“This year we more than doubled our $500 goal by raising $1,200. Kyle Robinson and Drew Carroll ran the event and it was very successful, and I am very proud of what they were able to accomplish,” said John Adams, junior Kappa Alpha member.

Even with all their service, new goals to do more for VWC are constantly made every year.