Sorority girls armed with Sharpie markers swarming Sigma Chis all over campus is obnoxious. When these girls haul bags full of coins into the union and march up to a table to dump them all in, it’s natural to roll your eyes. Sigma Chi Derby Days, which occurred at the end of October, and other Greek philanthropy events, draw criticism for seeming silly and self-involved.
In reality, the events are fun for those involved, and most important, raise a lot of money for worthy charities. This year, the efforts of Sigma Chi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Chi Omega, and Pi Beta Phi raised $4400 for Save the Storks, an innovative charity that provides medical services like ultrasounds for pregnant women to prevent abortions and offer alternative plans. They operate out of buses so that they can travel to where the need is. A speaker from the organization came and presented to the sororities and fraternity, to share with them where their donations would go and who they would help.
This is just one example of Greek philanthropy initiatives. Last week was Dobby Days by Alpha Tau Omega, to support the Salvation Army, and tomorrow, Delta Sigma Phi will host a paintball fundraiser on behalf of the family of a DSP brother hit and killed by a drunk driver in California. The sororities host events for Make-A-Wish, local literacy programs, and St. Peter’s Free Clinic, among others.
Like GOAL programs and other clubs’ charitable efforts, so too do the Greek houses contribute to the philanthropic efforts of our student body. It is a good thing when those in need are helped through upstanding organizations. If people want to spend hundreds of dollars to purchase the handiwork of a Sigma Chi, or pay to paintball a DSP, so be it. Let them. Good for these groups for using innovation and incentives to raise money for a good cause.