Philanthropy is an important aspect of fraternity life that is often overlooked. The 16 fraternities at UR regularly dedicate their time to community service projects such as fundraisers, clean-ups and events to spread awareness.
Some of the organizations and programs that regularly receive help from the fraternities include the Sojourner House, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Children’s Miracle Network, Foodlink and many others.
One of Sigma Chi’s most successful fund-raising events is the annual Derby Days, which helped raise approximately $1800 for the Strong Children’s Center last semester. Brothers in the fraternity also spent time assisting with the recent blood drive and donated time to deliver meals during Thanksgiving for the Meals on Wheels program.
Delta Upsilon hosts an annual event called Homeless for the Homeless which takes place March 22?24 this year. During this event fraternity brothers take turns living in cardboard boxes in front of the Rush Rhees Library, attracting attention and taking donations for Habitat of Humanity.
This event raised close to $2000 last year. “We consider [philanthropy] to be an important part of DU,” says DU philanthropy chair Scott Field, a freshman. Brothers also donate time to assist with the annual Multiple Sclerosis Walkathon to be held April 7 and the Ronald McDonald House. They are currently holding a recycling drive to raise money for the UR Hells Canyon Alternative Spring Break program.
Juniors Andy Pagano, President of Psi Upsilon, and Matt Davison, Philanthropy Chairman of YU and Chairman of the Fraternity President’s Council, are proud that their brothers are capable of balancing the demands of academics, sports and philanthropic activities.
YU, together with SC and Sigma Alpha Mu, entered teams into and assisted with last semester’s stickball tournament, which raised money for the World Education Fund for Women.
Another project YU is currently involved in is the Change Bandits. “[This] project was based around each of the brothers donating as much time as they can on a daily basis, whenever possible, to gather loose change and small donations throughout February to benefit Strong Children’s Hospital,” Pagano said. All YU chapters nationwide also work with the Boy Scouts of America.
Alpha Epsilon Pi who received the International Jewish Community Service Award for the year 2000 will hold a broom ball tournament on March 24, the proceeds from which will go to the American Heart Association. In the past, they have also raised funds for the Mazon to help feed the hungry.
Chi Phi, whose house is located off-campus in the Nineteenth Ward, regularly host dinners for the needy in the surrounding community. They also work with their national philanthropy, Big Brother Big Sister, on a monthly basis. In the past semester, they assisted with events for the Strong Children’s Hospital and are looking to work with Habitat for Humanity later this spring.
Through the school year, Alpha Delta Phi opens their house to high school students through the Boys and Girls Club, with dinner, activities, information and discussions to show them the possibilities of pursuing a college education.
Phi Sigma used their house to host a concert raising money for the National Kidney Foundation. ADF work with the Foodlink program and is also currently raising money for the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital through recycling.
Phi Kappa Tau brothers dedicate, on average, 40 hours a week to helping the youth groups of the Cameron Community Ministries. They also raise funds for Hole in the Wall, assisting kids with terminal illnesses, by operating a bus that gives students rides to New York City during Thanksgiving.
Father Brian Cool, director of the Catholic Newman Community and one of the chaplains of the university’s Interfaith Chapel, sometimes recruits brothers from SC and YU to help with occasional philanthropic events.
“One time [last semester], I received a phone call from a woman who was in a battered women’s shelter, trying to get out of a bad relationship. She needed to get her stuff out of the house and she had a small window of opportunity to [do it], and she needed 6-8 guys to help her move the stuff out,” said Cool.
He called John Furland of SC, who had 20 people who were available for help. “I was impressed with how they responded so quickly and so effectively,” Cool said.
Uzilov can be reached at auzilov@campustimes.org.
For more information about fraternity community service, please see the Web version of this story at www.campustimes.org.
