Positive PR on Greeks

[Girlene]

Here's an article I found:

U. Illinois greeks make fun out of philanthropy; Beth Hurtubise; University Wire; Chicago; Illinois; Sep 25, 2003; ;


(Daily Illini) (U-WIRE) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- From lip-syncs to carwashes to playing in the mud, many University of Illinois greek organizations try to make fun out of philanthropy.

Raising money for a good cause -- a requirement for members of sororities and fraternaties -- goes on year-round at the University.

This weekend, Theta Xi Fraternity will hold a car wash at Super Wal-Mart in Savoy, Ill., to raise money for its charity, Illinois Fatherhood Initiative.

"IFI reunites fathers with their children," said Theta Xi philanthropy chair Allen Clark. "It uses the money to teach fathers to be more of a father figure for their kids ... bringing a father back into his kid's life."

This is the first year Theta Xi will hold a car wash, but IFI was established by Theta Xi alumnus David Hirsh. The fraternity has been contributing to the fund for years.

For those looking to do something a little extra for that special someone, Sigma Delta Tau will hold its first annual flower sale for Sweetest Day. Students can order a flower with a personalized note for a friend, crush, or boy/girlfriend on the Quad or in their classes until Sweetest Day on Oct. 18, said vice president Shelley Klass.

"We have three different colors of flowers," Klass said. "Red stands for love, pink for a crush, and yellow for friendship."

Klass said all profits will go to Prevent Child Abuse America, a charity that provides shelters for abused children and services to secure their safety.

Alpha Gamma Delta will take advantage of the last days of warm weather with their annual Water Wars event on Oct. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at Washington Park, also known as Frat Park.

"This year we will have 45 teams of eight people competing for prizes," philanthropy chair Amanda Sowa said of the event, which will have a dunk tank, shaving cream slip and slide, balloon toss, obstacle course and a duck pond.

Sowa said all money will go to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, which supports diabetes research and camps for children with diabetes. Alpha Gamma Delta plans to raise $4,000 for the event, which has taken place for almost 40 years.

Sigma Chi will hold Derby Days the week of Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, with a blood drive on Monday, a volleyball tournament on Tuesday, an obstacle course and tug of war on Wednesday, a lip sync contest on Friday and a party for everyone involved on Saturday. Fourteen sororities are participating in the event this year, Griffin said. The Pita Pit will be donating 50 cents for each pita bought by people involved in Derby Days.

"We are expecting to raise about $10,000 that will go toward the Children's Miracle Network," Griffin said.

The network seeks to help children's wards at hospitals around the country.

Alpha Omicron Pi will hold its second annual Mud Olympics Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Washington Park.

"This year we have 21 teams and 5 events," said president, Kiley Gibson.

The events include human bowling, a team relay, a muddy clothes relay, and a tug of war, Gibson said.

The proceeds will be split between the Arthritis Foundation, and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, Gibson said. One of Alpha Omicron Pi's current members currently suffers from Alopecia Areata, which is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hair loss.