Greek Week isn’t all about doughnut-eating contests, beach days and soccer games. This year, Cal Poly’s greek organizations are teaming up to give back to the community.
The idea of implementing philanthropy work into the annual Greek Week began last year, and this years’ events aim to build off that idea, Greek Life Director Diego Silva said.
“We will be rolling up our sleeves (and) getting our hands dirty,” Silva said, explaining that teams this week are volunteering at the Prado Day Center, competing in canned food castle contests, holding assemblies at middle schools, participating in a blood drive and having a lip sync contest to benefit the family care network.
“When it comes to (greek) stereotypes, it’s never about one,” Silva said. “This week shows (greeks) as a whole, to collaborate and engage the community together.”
Teams encouraged their members to participate in Tuesday’s “Mustang Mile” 5k walk/run at Cal Poly, which benefited the Aware Awake Alive alcohol-awareness campaign. The Interfraternity Council announced Monday that 250 representatives of the greek community planned to participate in the race.
IFC Director of Activities and construction management sophomore Justin Runes said greek life is a big part of the campus, community and what Cal Poly has to offer because of the organizations’ large numbers.
“It’s a necessary part to integrate the community and greeks, especially in the biggest times of the year where fraternities and sororities can show their name in a positive manner and show the good deeds we’re doing on campus.”
Runes said the philanthropy projects help greeks move away from the party scene activities and “foolishness” that often gets brought to light. Runes declined to comment on a recent incident involving the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and an alleged 300-plus person party that ended in the San Luis Obispo Police Department issuing four citations.
Implementing charity into Greek Week is a “change to create a fun atmosphere for philanthropy,” Runes said. The canned-food contest Saturday will raise food donations while teams build sculptures from 250 to 300 cans, “whether skyscrapers or the Eiffel Tower.”
Greek Week president of the executive board and mathematics junior Sarah Ortiz said the Greek Week charity work is important because these events reunite greeks.
“It’s something all greeks come together for,” Ortiz said. “(Philanthropy is) one of the reasons why I did join a sorority. It’s important to give back to the community.”
Throughout the week, teams have been giving blood on Mott Lawn and donating loose change in “penny wars” at the University Union Plaza.
Mechanical engineering sophomore Jesse Hunt, a Pi Kappa Alpha on the orange team, donated blood for the first time Tuesday. He did so to “help anyone in need” and “get some points for Greek Week.”
On Friday, Greek Week teams will participate in a day of service, volunteering at various schools throughout San Luis Obispo. Members of the IFC council expressed hopes Monday night that teams go above and beyond the minimum required attendance at each event.
“I’ve done a lot of service back in my day,” Runes said, “helping homeless and kids that are mentally challenged, it’s a rewarding experience. It would be pleasing to the heart if everyone can do that. There is more to give than what they are receiving.”
Editor’s note: This article originally stated Ortiz was Greek Week president of executor, she is actually the president of the executive board. It also originally quoted Silva as saying assemblies will be held at elementary schools; they are actually held at middle schools.