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When most people think of fraternities and sororities they think of college students who do nothing but party, drink, and go crazy when they should be studying. The thing that most do not realize is that all fraternities and sororities have national philanthropies that they raise money for. Those who are not Greek do not understand the time and dedication that these organizations give to their philanthropies. On Saturday March 5 Alpha Xi Delta and Pi Kappa Phi hosted their second annual Shoot for a Cure three on three basketball tournament. This tournament helps raise money for Push America and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Two philanthropies that are special for different reasons to the groups.
Push America is Pi Kappa Phi’s national philanthropy, which raises money to help the disabled. This is the only national philanthropy ever founded and completely ran based on the money raised by a fraternity.
Both organizations are proud to be able to give money to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because it hits home for the organizations. Alpha Xi Delta and Pi Kappa Phi have alumni that have had to battle with this illness throughout their lives. Each group is glad that the money they raise may help lead to a cure for this dreaded disease one day.
Five men’s teams and three women’s team played in the tournament. This year on the men’s side the Irish Bread Pub defeated last year winners Chi Phi to become this year champions, and on the women’s side Alpha Gamma Delta got the victory.
When asked how does it you feel knowing that tournament is helping out with such a great cause one student summed it up best. “It feels good to know you are making a difference,” said Hamilton Philips a brother of Pi Kappa Phi and who played in the tournament “even though you get to play basketball you know the money you gave is going to help change so many people’s lives if a cure is found for cystic fibrosis, and that is one thing we are hoping and praying for with the money we raise”.
The fraternity and sorority also had many sponsors and donors that did not play in the tournament. They would like to thank them for all their help and support.
So the next time there is a movie or a story that shows Greek life in a negative light remember that only a few bad organizations give off that stereotype, and remember that Greeks do a lot of good for some many people.
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