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Greek Week 2017 Gives Back to Community
04/04/2017
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) have come together for their annual Greek Week festivities which continue through April 9 in a spirit of philanthropy, friendly competition and fun at Southeast Missouri State University. Greek Week is a time for social Greek-lettered organizations to give back to the community as they partner with non-profit organizations, volunteer their time and raise money. [caption id='attachment_25360' align='alignright' width='300'] Students cheer on their chapter during the 2017 Greek Games.[/caption] “Greek Week is the time that our Greek Community at Southeast really comes together to give back to a place that has done so much for us,” said Southeast student Jill Schmitt, director of Greek Week. “The week is jam-packed with service opportunities. We devote our time and resources to give back to those who may not be as fortunate. Greek Week is about showing loyalty to others beyond our own chapters and having the personal courage to help those that are less fortunate. We see it as our duty as a Greek Community to come together help those that are in need of our assistance. Sometimes we lose sight of the bigger things in life and forget that there are people not given the same opportunities as us. This week shows the organizations and community that we have the ability to come together to help a greater cause; the opportunity to foster a change; to impact a group of people and become closer as a community along the way.” Events and service opportunities for the Greek community have been planned in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, Missouri Veteran’s Home, United Way and the Keep Cape Beautiful initiative. Additionally, a food drive for Salvation Army is scheduled and a walk to help raise awareness for domestic violence was held. Last year, more than $15,000 was raised during Greek Week, and more than 18,000 canned goods were donated. [caption id='attachment_25361' align='alignleft' width='300'] Greek Week is a spirited week of friendly competition.[/caption] Greek Week began April 1 with fraternity and sorority members volunteering at the Special Olympics in the Student Recreation Center. That was followed by the Greek Games on Parker Field April 2 and the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event April 3. Sixteen Greek organizations are participating in this year’s events which follow a Greek blood drive in February in which 941 units of blood were donated to the American Red Cross. The contributions can save up to 2,823 lives. “The Greek Community has put a substantial amount of work in for this week, and we as an executive board are all so proud of this community for that,” said Schmitt. “It's because of having a University and community so supportive that we can enjoy something like Greek Week every year. “It's really amazing to see how much a group of 18-22 year-olds can accomplish when they work together,” she said. “While competition is in place for the chapters, the points really don't matter when you look at the impact that is made on Cape Girardeau in the end.” Greek Week events continue this week and are as follows: April 4 Community Service with Missouri Veteran’s Home, 2-5 p.m. April 5 Penny Races University Center, noon Mystery Event, Academic Hall, 5-7 p.m. April 6 Canned Food Drive Salvation Army, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Keep Cape Beautiful service project Capaha Park, 5-7 p.m. April 8 Greek Sing Academic Hall Auditorium, 5 p.m. April 9 All Greek Chapter Awards Academic Hall Auditorium, noon-3 p.m.
04/04/2017
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) have come together for their annual Greek Week festivities which continue through April 9 in a spirit of philanthropy, friendly competition and fun at Southeast Missouri State University. Greek Week is a time for social Greek-lettered organizations to give back to the community as they partner with non-profit organizations, volunteer their time and raise money. [caption id='attachment_25360' align='alignright' width='300'] Students cheer on their chapter during the 2017 Greek Games.[/caption] “Greek Week is the time that our Greek Community at Southeast really comes together to give back to a place that has done so much for us,” said Southeast student Jill Schmitt, director of Greek Week. “The week is jam-packed with service opportunities. We devote our time and resources to give back to those who may not be as fortunate. Greek Week is about showing loyalty to others beyond our own chapters and having the personal courage to help those that are less fortunate. We see it as our duty as a Greek Community to come together help those that are in need of our assistance. Sometimes we lose sight of the bigger things in life and forget that there are people not given the same opportunities as us. This week shows the organizations and community that we have the ability to come together to help a greater cause; the opportunity to foster a change; to impact a group of people and become closer as a community along the way.” Events and service opportunities for the Greek community have been planned in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, Missouri Veteran’s Home, United Way and the Keep Cape Beautiful initiative. Additionally, a food drive for Salvation Army is scheduled and a walk to help raise awareness for domestic violence was held. Last year, more than $15,000 was raised during Greek Week, and more than 18,000 canned goods were donated. [caption id='attachment_25361' align='alignleft' width='300'] Greek Week is a spirited week of friendly competition.[/caption] Greek Week began April 1 with fraternity and sorority members volunteering at the Special Olympics in the Student Recreation Center. That was followed by the Greek Games on Parker Field April 2 and the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event April 3. Sixteen Greek organizations are participating in this year’s events which follow a Greek blood drive in February in which 941 units of blood were donated to the American Red Cross. The contributions can save up to 2,823 lives. “The Greek Community has put a substantial amount of work in for this week, and we as an executive board are all so proud of this community for that,” said Schmitt. “It's because of having a University and community so supportive that we can enjoy something like Greek Week every year. “It's really amazing to see how much a group of 18-22 year-olds can accomplish when they work together,” she said. “While competition is in place for the chapters, the points really don't matter when you look at the impact that is made on Cape Girardeau in the end.” Greek Week events continue this week and are as follows: April 4 Community Service with Missouri Veteran’s Home, 2-5 p.m. April 5 Penny Races University Center, noon Mystery Event, Academic Hall, 5-7 p.m. April 6 Canned Food Drive Salvation Army, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Keep Cape Beautiful service project Capaha Park, 5-7 p.m. April 8 Greek Sing Academic Hall Auditorium, 5 p.m. April 9 All Greek Chapter Awards Academic Hall Auditorium, noon-3 p.m.
