Greeks get into spirit of giving
by April Broussard
DM Staff Writer
December 05, 2003
Greek organizations at Ole Miss take the spirit of giving beyond the holiday season, donating time and money year-round to their respective philanthropies and other community service programs.
Jason Dean, consultant for greek life, said through individual and greek-wide projects, chapters within the Interfraternity, Panhellenic and National Pan-Hellenic Councils raised over $365,000 during the course of the 2002-2003 school year and are well on their way to meeting and exceeding that amount this year.
Dean said he sees this participation as vital part of any student's education.
"Students in the greek system come here from Meridian, from the Coast, from the Delta," Dean said.
"If we can introduce them to some form or capacity of community service while they are students, the idea is that they will be more encouraged to go back to Meridian, the coast and the Delta and participate in community service in their home communities."
Sororities and fraternities raise money for local and national charities in a variety of ways--from Sigma Nu's Charity Bowl for paralysis research to Phi Mu's greek directory for LeBonheur Children's Hospital.
"It's a way to get close to the organization and create relationships," said Elizabeth Norberg, president-elect of the Panhellenic Council.
"The philanthropic projects are not exclusive to greeks; they bring in the whole campus and community. It's fun, and you know it's for a good cause."
Delta Delta Delta has a national fund-raising partnership with St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and the Chi chapter at Ole Miss raises approximately $10,000 each year during their "Pancakes for Kids" event, according to Philanthropy Chairman Katie Merriwether.
"Our chapter is extremely lucky because we have the opportunity to see how our time and work is benefiting the children in Memphis," Merriwether said.
"The hospital is such an amazing place. Just seeing the kids is an inspiration."
Alyssa Boswell, event marketing representative at St. Jude's, said public contributions are the primary source of the hospital's daily operating costs of over $800,000.
"The Ole Miss chapter does an amazing job and is very dedicated to helping the kids at St. Jude," Boswell said.
"Their gifts brighten the lives of the children."
Kappa Alpha's Alpha Upsilon chapter also takes part in its national philanthropy, holding an annual auction for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and participating in MDA's Fight Night.
Christy Garrett, program coordinator for the Memphis/Mid South Chapter of the MDA, said the Ole Miss chapter ranked among its top three contributors in the nation last year, raising almost $60,000.
"We are very proud of our Ole Miss KA's," she said. "They are very organized, very dedicated and very eager."
According to Dean, the Office of Greek Life encourages all members to participate in local community programs and events, giving time as well as money and becoming directly involved.
Chapters like Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Chi and those of the NPHC take a special interest in local charitable organizations such as Leap Frog, Habitat for Humanity, the Pantry, Azalea Gardens, the Humane Society, Special Olympics and many others.
"Leap Frog could not exist without the participation of the sorority and fraternity students," Director Barbara Lowe said.
Chris Zainey, president-elect of the IFC, said that though the stereotypical view of the greek system focuses on its parties, the large system at Ole Miss is also an influential resource for giving back to the Oxford community.
"Personally, I have a general feeling of wanting to help people and now, as president of the Interfraternity Council, I feel like I not only have the desire but the power to actually accomplish something," Zainey said. "Through the greek system, words can be put into action."
Greeks get into spirit of giving
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