UNLV Greeks give back to community during holidays
By Henry Melton
With the Thanksgiving season rapidly approaching, many individuals take this time to think about how they can benefit others and make a difference in the lives of those who need help. However, while many may be thinking now in November, the Greek Student Organizations have been working hard since September.
Within the past six weeks, six fraternities and sororities have celebrated philanthropy by having events to raise money for their distinguished charities. Alpha Delta Pi did Jungle Days to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Pi Kappa Alpha held the Pikeathalon to benefit Variety Children's Charity of Southern Nevada. Alpha Xi Delta did Xi Man to benefit Holly's Generation Hope, Phi Delta Theta had their Philanthropy event to benefit ALS Lou Gering's Disease. Zeta Beta Tau had the Bouncy House to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Alpha Epsilon Pi sponsored Throw a Pie at a Pi Guy to benefit the Magen David Adom foundation. Most recently, Alpha Gamma Delta with Battle of the Gods to benefit the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.
"It's an amazing thing," says Mark Linn of Pi Kappa Alpha, "to see all the Greeks come together as one and give a little something back to the community."
Between the three fraternities and three sororities so far, a combined total of over $40,000 has been raised in food, clothing, time and monetary donations.
There are many issues with having so many philanthropy events occurring on a weekly basis, one of which being time constraints. "They're fun," says Rachael Dreckman of Alpha Xi Delta, "but are too time consuming with everyone doing them back to back."
Another issue is competition with other Greek Student Organizations for scheduling. Zeta Beta Tau's Bouncy House occurred the same week as Phi Delta Theta's Flantrophy. Along with competition, there is the issue that individual contests inside of the philanthropy, such as gathering heart pins for Pikeathalon or tiaras for Battle of the Gods, to determine a "winner", could ruin the integrity and purpose of the event.
Fortunately, most UNLV Greeks don't see things that way and are actually genuinely interested in helping their fellow man.
"I don't really see it as a competition," said Joe Hurzel, President of Zeta Beta Tau, "if we're all striving for a good cause."
http://www.ryunlv.com/news/566892.html?mkey=1037775
(sidenote: Mr. Melton is gentleman of Pi Kappa Alpha, and Alpha Xi Delta's Xi Man 2003. He's spiffy
. )
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