Today@Sam Article

Greek Week To Raise Money For Area Charities

Sept 22, 2011
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt

Last year's Greek Week included a canned food drive competition that benefitted Huntsville's Good Shepherd Mission. —Submitted photo.

Sam Houston State University's Greek community will join together for a week of activities that is anticipated to raise thousands of dollars for various non-profit organizations.

Greek Week 2011, the “largest and most elaborate philanthropy of the year,” will begin on Sunday (Sept. 25) with the “American Heroes Field Day,” from 3-5 p.m. on Intramural Field No. 3, according to Mariel Kanene, Interfraternity Council philanthropy director and Greek Week executive board member.

The carnival-style event for children of all ages will include booths set up by each of SHSU’s eight Greek teams (comprising all 25 fraternities and sororities), as well as the Huntsville fire and police departments.

On Monday (Sept. 26), community members can register for a dodgeball tournament, which will be held from 6-10 p.m. on the Health and Kinesiology Center’s Basketball Court, for a chance to win a $500 prize. Registration is $5 per person or $50 per team.

On Tuesday (Sept. 27), Greeks are looking for community members to give the gift of life through a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.

On Thursday (Sept. 29), Bearkat and Huntsville community members can watch sorority and fraternity members compete in activities such as the “car cram,” human pyramid, tug-of-war, a wing-eating contest and the “ultimate relay” as part of the Greek Games from 6-8 p.m. at Pritchett Field.

Finally, on Saturday (Oct. 1), teams will tailgate for the SHSU versus University of Texas at San Antonio football game, and community members can compete in a chili cook off. The cook off will begin at 10 a.m. and judging will begin at 4 p.m. in Bearkat Alley.

The registration fee is $50 per team, with cash prizes being awarded in five categories. All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Support Center.

Greek Week brings together more than 1,000 Greek students who are to committed to raising $30,000 in an effort to help the Huntsville and Bearkat communities “by educating on the signs of autism and supporting the individuals who give their lives for our freedom,” Kanene said.

“We also have reached out to all chapters of the Greek Community big and small and across councils in order to promote Greek unity and pride,” he said. “We are proud to say we have 25 Greek organizations participating representing all four councils. This has never happened before.”

New initiatives for this year’s Greek Week include seeking out sponsorships to make Greek Week more sustainable, promoting Greek Life on SHSU's campus, and bringing back faculty/alumni events. The week also includes a “service blitz” during which teams reach out to the Huntsville area for community endeavors.

Events are open to the entire community, who are asked to also get involved by making donations, according to Kanene.

A full schedule of events can be found at the Greek Week 2011 - League of Extraordinary Greeks” Facebook page, found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=237830716267072.

For more information, contact Kanene at mmk011@shsu.edu or the SHSU Dean of Students’ Office at 936.294.1785.

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