Lots of exciting Greek events take place in the spring on Creighton’s campus: formals, big/little weeks and initiations. However, it is the number of Greek philanthropy events that occur which is really astounding.
Almost every fraternity and sorority on campus hosted a philanthropy event this spring to raise money for their unique charities and causes.
On any given day, you could of found a flyer posted on the bulletin boards in the Kiewit Fitness Center or Skutt Student Center advertising these events, listing the date, time and cause.
Almost all Greek organizations have already hosted a philanthropy event this semester like Theta Phi Alpha, who organized a dodgeball event in February for leukemia and lymphoma research.
Delta Zeta and Phi Kappa Psi hosted an event together earlier in the semester called Jays Jams, in which teams participated in a basketball tournament. The money raised went to Completely Kids, which is Delta Zeta’s community partner.
Also this semester, Beta Theta Pi hosted Crepes for Kids, selling crepes in the Skutt Student Center for Completely Kids.
Many philanthropies occured within the last few weeks of the school year. Delta Delta Delta had their event on April 13, DHOP, a pancake breakfast. The proceeds went towards their philanthropy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma held Kappa Kickball on April 13 in which teams of eight to 10 played in a kickball tournament. The money raised at this event went towards Kappa Kappa Gamma’s national philanthropy, “Reading is Fundamental.”
Gamma Phi Beta hosted “Let the Good Times Roll,” which is a tournament bowling event, and Pi Beta Phi hosted “Pie a Pi Phi,” which allows people to pie members of the sorority along with other chapters’ presidents for $1.
Fraternities have spring philanthropy events as well. Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted a 5K run on April 12, “Run With A Heart,” to raise money for the Heart Ministry Center in North Omaha. Beta Theta Pi, along with the sisters of Sigma Lambda Gamma, are hosting a volleyball tournament together on April 26. According to their Facebook invitation, they are planning on splitting the proceeds between their two philanthropies: TRIO (Educational Opportunity for Low-Income and First Generation college students) and Completely Kids.
These events are almost always inexpensive and often offer those who participate shirts, food or a chance to enter into a raffle.
It is pretty well known that philanthropy events are a key part of Greek life, especially on Creighton’s campus. Arts & Sciences sophomore Cora Byrne, philanthropy chair for Theta Phi Alpha, agrees. She has been hard at work planning a couple more philanthropy events for Theta Phi Alpha for the end of the semester.
“We are doing a toiletry drive at our initiation brunch,” Byrne said. “We also want to do something during finals week, like handing out goody bags with supplies for studying, but we aren’t sure what that money will go towards yet.”
Often times, Greek organizations are able to pick and choose where they want to send the money they raise, allowing them to reach out to relevant causes at the time.
Heider College of Business sophomore Haley Housh really likes the social aspect of philanthropy events, along with the ability to give back.
“I really enjoy participating in philanthropies for other Greek organizations because it is a fun way to support my friends while also raising money for a good cause,” she said. “I always have fun at them!”
Many others who have participated in or planned a philanthropy event on campus would agree that they are fun. Not to mention, they do a lot of good in the Omaha community and across the nation.