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At Syracuse University, a large proportion of Greek life and the Greek experience is spent on philanthropy and community service. April is traditionally one of the busiest months, and this year, more than 10 charity events are under way.

Over the course of the 2009-10 academic year, the Greek community raised nearly $1 million dollars and volunteered 16,000 hours of community service. Service is one of five core values of Greek life and plays an instrumental role in supporting local and national charities. Each chapter at SU holds at least one philanthropic event throughout the year to raise money and awareness for a specific cause.

“A principle part of the fraternity and sorority commitment is philanthropy, and we are always excited about the opportunity to give back to major charitable causes, as well as to our local and surrounding communities,” says Eddie Banks-Crosson, director of the .

Phi Sigma Sigma hosted its second philanthropic event of the school year, “Clash of the Titans,” on Sunday, April 9, in Walnut Park. The event involved teams of different fraternities and sororities competing against each other.

“We are excited about raising money and awareness for our national charity, the National Kidney Foundation,” says junior Caitlin Clark, president of Phi Sigma Sigma. “Hosting another large-scale philanthropy event was not only a way for us to bond as a sisterhood, but also a great way to stay connected with the Greek community as a whole, in a positive manner.”

All chapters participate in each other’s philanthropies, as well as the general student body. Many of the charity events include blood drives, basketball tournaments, flag football games, barbecues and more. In April alone, there is at least one event every Saturday and Sunday, keeping Greek life members busy volunteering and donating their time.

Additional charity events in April:

• Gamma Phi Beta: Capture the Crescent, was held April 2
• Delta Gamma: Anchor Splash, was held April 2
• Sigma Alpha Mu: Greeks vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament, was held April 3
• Phi Kappa Psi and Kappa Alpha Theta: Blood Drive, was held April 11
• Alpha Xi Delta: Eat for a Cause, April 16
• Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, Inc.: Benefit Dinner for “Say Yes to Education,” April 16
• Kappa Alpha Theta: Theta Bowl, April 17
• Psi Luau: Barbeque for ALS, April 30

For more information on this month’s charity events, contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at 443-2718.