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Filed under: Fun Ways to Give | Tags: college events, college life, fraternities, fundraising events, Giving, Greek life, Penn State, sororities, University of Florida, University of Kentucky
Today’s guest post is from Alvina Lopez.
A hallmark of all university Panhellenic groups is community service and charity. Every year, thousands of member students across the United States commit their time to furthering hundreds of different causes. Whether big or small, these charity and volunteer programs always make a positive impact in the lives of others and are what make Greek life so vital for a college town and its surrounding area.
Every event is significant in its purpose and deserves to be highlighted. Alas, there are so many, it would be impossible to ever cover them all, so here are three great examples to exemplify what every Panhellenic chapter strives for every school year.
THON at Penn State
THON is the shorthand nickname for The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. This annual charity event is the “largest student-run philanthropy” in the nation and has raised millions of dollars over the years for children’s cancer research and support (over seven million dollars was raised in 2010 alone).Although the charity works a full year to raise funds, the event is capped off every February with a two day, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. Over the years, interest in the cause has grown exponentially, and many other universities have mirrored similar dance marathon charity events from Penn State’s.
Panhellenic 5K and Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks at the University of Florida
Throughout the year, the Panhellenic Council at the University of Florida hosts several fundraisers and supply drives for the Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network of Gainesville. In addition to these events, multiple chapters also take part in an annual 5K walk/run to further benefit the domestic abuse cause, as well as other local charity causes. Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks is another event hosted every Halloween that provides a safe trick-or-treating environment for local families. All chapters on Sorority Row decorate their houses and participate in the event.
Greek Sing at the University of Kentucky
Greek Sing is an annual fundraising event at the University of Kentucky that raises funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Kentucky, a charity that helps grant the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions. It is essentially a talent show, featuring the talent of all UK sororities and fraternities. Although tickets are sold to raise money, chapters also work to raise additional funds leading up to the show. Over $124,000 was raised at the 2011 Greek Sing event, and participants hope to break that record at next year’s event.
A freelance writer and blogging extraordinaire for seven years, Alvina Lopez now mainly contributes her expertise about online colleges to accreditedonlinecolleges.com. Her ultimate goal is to help future students discover their potential by enrolling in the right program for them. She also writes about trends in education, personal finance and sustainable living. She loves getting feedback from her readers at alvina.lopez@gmail.com.
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I’m glad that more and more fraternities and sororities engage in charity events.In my country,those groups are known for making a lot of troubles.I’m very happy that they help in helping others and I hope that it will continue.
Comment by Arthur@My Own SEO for Australian Business August 27, 2012 @ 7:14 pm