philanthropy

Mercer’s Panhellenic Council hosts first annual Male High Heel Race

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Published Oct 24, in Campus, News

On Oct. 16 Mercer’s Panhellenic Council hosted the High Heel Race, its first philanthropic event of the semester. Non-Greek and Greek male participants paid $5 to $10 and raced up the street near Porter Patch wearing high heels. The first person to cross the finish line won a $30 gift card to Margaritas. The Panhellenic Council also hosted a raffle drawing that gave away prizes donated from Macon’s local businesses. The council raised $130, which they donated to Crisis Line and Safe House, a Macon shelter for battered women.
Mercer students lined the street as three young men wearing white tube stocks with glittery high heels lined up for the race. “I am excited about this. It should be funny,” said Panhellenic’s Director of Programming, Suzannah Griffin. Before the race, Panhellenic Advisor, Cindy Drury, gathered and warned the participants about the uneven concrete. Student spectators unanimously agreed that the race could potentially be dangerous. “I think a few people will fall,” said Junior Daniel Dupree. However, the Panhellenic council took necessary precautions to insure everyone’s safety, “Luckily, we have an EMT with a radio…just as a precaution,” said Drury.
After the count down from the crowd, a pair of black stilettos, sparkly strapped-heels, and wedges hobbled towards the finish line. The winner, Philip Flynn, donned a pair of wedges. “I just wanted to raise money for Panhellenic’s philanthropy and help out, ” said Flynn. “I thought I was going to eat it,” commented Flynn when he was asked if he was worried about falling. Flynn said he planned to use the gift card to take his girlfriend out on a date.
The Panhellenic Council, which oversees the four sororities in Mercer University, hosts two philanthropic events each semester. When Drury read recruitment brochures from other universities, she noticed other Panhellenic councils hosted women high heel race competitions for philanthropy. Instead of women racing, Drury thought having male participants race in heels would be more fun.
Although the Panhellenic council wanted the High Heel Race to be entertaining, giving back to the community took chief prominence, “One of the philosophies and goals of Panhellenic, as in most Greek chapters, is philanthropy…we wanted to set a good example to the four chapters that the council as a whole was supporting philanthropy not just the individual chapters,” said Drury. The money that is donated to the shelter gives impoverished women basic living necessities.
According to the National Panhellenic mission statement, the goal of the council is “to create unanimity of thought and action.”
Sarah Richardson, director of Scholarship and Delegate for Alpha Delta Pi, shared in an interview that hosting the event allowed her to bond with girls from other sororities. “You get to know a lot of people and just see more of Mercer’s campus, which allows you to get out of a bubble,” said Richardson.
Although the number of participants for the race was limited, the council hopes to continue the High Heel Race as a Panhellenic Mercer tradition. “I’m hoping this is something we can continue for the next several years and hopefully will get bigger and bigger,” said Richardson.

Phi Mu hosts annual Phi-esta philanthropy

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Published Oct 19, in Campus, News

On Oct. 11 Phi Mu held its annual Phi-esta philanthropy event.  Despite the rainy weather, Phi-esta proved to be successful.
For two weeks leading up to the event Phi Mu members sold tickets for $3 each, which entitled each ticket holder to a heaping plate of nachos.  Greeting guests with a friendly “olé!”, Phi Mu members lined up under a tent outside the Phi Mu house.
As each person walked through the line, the Phi Mu members topped the nachos with his or her choice of traditional Mexican toppings.  Guests enjoyed their nachos at tables set up inside and outside the Phi Mu house while festive Mexican music played in the background.
This was the third consecutive year that Phi Mu has hosted Phi-esta. Phi Mu donates the money that Phi-Esta raises to its national philanthropy, The Children’s Miracle Network.
The Children’s Miracle Network provides funds to local children’s hospitals and each hospital decides where its needs are greatest and how the money will be best used.
Hospitals often use the funds to purchase equipment and to pay for children’s care, to support The Children’s Miracle Network’s mission of improving and saving the lives of as many children as possible.
According to Phi Mu President Candice McClung, Phi Mu designates its funds to go to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.  The funds that Phi Mu raises typically go to cover the normal operating costs of the hospital.  Last year, only in its second year of existence, Phi-esta raised over $1,700 for The Children’s Miracle Network.
Freshman Katie Houston, a member of Phi Mu, said, “Even though it rained, I felt like Phi-esta went really well.  It was a lot of fun.  When we told people that we were supporting The Children’s Miracle Network they were very willing to purchase tickets and donate money.”
Sophomore Stephanie Leigh and Junior Ann Marie McAllaster, both members of Alpha Gamma Delta, enjoyed attending Phi-esta.  “It felt good to help The Children’s Miracle Network,” Leigh said, “and I also liked being able to support Phi Mu.”
McAllaster agreed, saying “I enjoyed having the opportunity to support Phi Mu’s philanthropy, and it was fun to be able to spend time with members of another sorority.”
At the 2011 Greek Awards, held last spring, Phi Mu received the Panhellenic Philanthropy Award for its commitment to serving others. It also received the Outstanding Philanthropic Event award for Phi-esta.
McClung said of 2010’s Phi-esta, “Phi Mu proved to itself and the rest of the Greek community that, despite the fact that we had only had Phi-esta once before, and there was a torrential downpour the day of the event (which was to be held outside), we would persevere and build Phi-esta to its fullest potential.”
Phi-esta 2011 followed suit, living up to its potential and raising money for the local hospital.  For a mere $3, students walked away with full, satisfied stomach and the fulfillment of knowing that they helped Phi Mu provide support

Alpha Delta Pi hosts second annual pancake breakfast

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Published Feb 23, in Uncategorized

Kelsey Fowler, freshman, helps serve drinks at Alpha Delta Pi’s pancake breakfast. The philanthropy event raised $2,140.

The sisters of Alpha Delta Pi hosted a pancake breakfast at Centenary United Methodist Church Saturday, Feb. 12 with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House.

The event, known as ADPiHop, ran from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and had members of the community as well as Mercer students in attendance.

Philanthropy Chair Kelsey Jones said, “This was the first year we did ADPiHop under the name ADPiHop. We’ve done Pancakes with the Pis before, which is kind of the same idea of having a pancake meal.”

Last year, the event was a pancake dinner. This year the event took place in the morning and attendees were given two pancakes, two pieces of sausage and a hash brown. Juice and coffee were also available to those who purchased a ticket.

The proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia, which is located in Macon off Forsyth Street.

“Ronald McDonald House was made for families who have children who are [seriously ill or injured], so that those families have somewhere to stay [while their children are in the hospital],” said Jones.

The Ronald McDonald House provides meals for the families who stay there and the sisters of Alpha Delta Pi occasionally cook dinner for the families staying at the Macon location.

Those who attended ADPiHop enjoyed breakfast while learning more about what the Ronald McDonald House does to help and support families.

“We had over a hundred people, and most of them were actually from the community because we tried to really reach out to the community this time and promote [the Ronald McDonald House] so people know what it’s about,” Jones said.

Alpha Delta Pi also hosts other events throughout the school year that benefit Ronald McDonald House. “In the fall, we had ADPi week and we had different businesses and nights where percentages of the proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House,” said Alpha Delta Pi president Christina Kivi.

One of those events was a trivia night including teams and raffle prizes. Teams paid a fee to enter and part of the proceeds went to benefit the philanthropy. Trivia night will continue next year, as well as ADPiHop.

“One of my favorite parts is that [the Ronald McDonald House] is so close, so you can actually go there and see the people you help. It makes a big difference,” Kivi said.

The leftover breakfast foods from ADPiHop were given to the local Ronald McDonald House along with the total proceeds of about $2,140.

“My goal is to raise at least $2,500 at ADPiHop,” Kivi said in regards to next year’s event.

PHOTOS: Kappa Sigma wing eating competition

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Published Feb 23, in Photography

wing-eating-contest

Kappa Sigma held its first annual Wing Eating Competition during Third Thursday in Mercer Village on Feb. 17. as a way to raise money for the Military Heroes Campaign.

SHAPE begins preparation for carnival in March

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Published Feb 1, in Uncategorized

Mercer University’s Sexual assault, Hazing and Alcohol Prevention Education committee will hold an information meeting today at 4:30 p.m. in the Connell Student Center, Conference Room 2, to discuss the upcoming carnival in March. Any organization interested in hosting a booth at the carnival should send a representative to the meeting.

SHAPE will hold the 3rd Annual Carnival on Wednesday, March 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. The purpose of the carnival is to raise awareness about sexual assault, hazing and drug and alcohol abuse.

The SHAPE committee is asking for organizations on campus to host a booth at the carnival to help reach this goal.

Last year’s carnival was very successful. Over 300 students attended the carnival and this year the committee is hoping for an even larger turnout.

Alexis Moss, graduate assistant to SHAPE, said, “In the pre- vious year we had 27 organiza- tions participate in the Carnival. This year we hope to surpass that number and have at least 30 organizations participate.”

Student organizations can participate by having either a pas- sive or interactive booth at the carnival with a game, or they can provide food. “Organiza- tions are asked to sponsor their own booths. However, if finan- cial assistance is needed, orga- nizations can submit requests for assistance to the SHAPE committee,” Moss said.

Examples of previous booths include a balloon pop, where students throw darts at balloons. Inside the balloon is a question and students must answer correctly in order to receive a prize. Another example is to have a cotton candy machine and attach safety tips on preventing sexual assault to the sticks.

Moss said that booths are not limited to giving candy as a prize and she encourages organizations to be creative.

“Participation in the Shape Carnival is a great way for or- ganizations to gain some publicity on campus,” said Moss.

For further information and updates of the event, organizations are encouraged to join the SHAPE Facebook group.

Phi Delta Theta to become ‘Iron Phis’

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Published Jan 31, in Uncategorized

Brothers of the Georgia Gamma Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity will be participating in Iron Phi, a race to benefit the fight against ALS on Feb. 13, at the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Ala.

Adam Lewis, a brother of Phi Delta Theta and a runner in the event, said, “I wanted to be an Iron Phi from the first time I saw it.” He said the challenge was a large part of what inspired him to take on this event.

Lewis and other brothers of Mercer’s chapter decided to take on this challenge after Phi Delta Theta headquarters reached out to all of the Southeastern presidents about the opportunity in Birmingham.

Fuji Islom, another Iron Phi runner, said, “This is the first time that I am participating in the Iron Phi. I am running in the gym three times a week.”

Lewis, along with another participant, Andrew Karas, will begin his training next week and will be in the gym every night.

ALS is a “progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.” The disease is also named for Lou Gehrig, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, who was the first person to be formally diagnosed with ALS. Gehrig was a brother of Phi Delta Theta and was known as the “Iron Horse” because of his perseverance and determination in all that he did. In honor of Gehrig, the name Iron Phi was given to the cause to encourage members to remember his “never-give-up attitude” when seeking to achieve a goal.

Lewis said the fight against ALS is very personal to him because he has seen it affect someone he knows. He said, “My sister’s best friend’s dad was diagnosed with ALS while she was in middle school and he has just recently started to show major symptoms. His ability to live a normal life has been extremely impaired by the effects. Seeing that firsthand is horrible, and for it to happen to somebody I respect is even worse, so I know that’ll keep me going on the last few miles.”

To become an “Iron Phi,” members of Phi Delta Theta select an athletic event, such as a half-marathon or triathlon, raise $1,000 for the cause, and accomplish the event itself.

Through this experience, Islom said he will know that his fundraising helped people with ALS and the search for its cure.

Lewis said it is up to younger brothers to decide whether or not they will continue to participate in the future. “I hope the legacy of this run and my time as an Iron Phi can be a source of inspiration for many Phis in the future to continue the fight against ALS.”

Anyone interested in donating can visit ironphi.org or contact Adam Lewis for on-campus donations. Donations can be made by check or cash and are greatly appreciated.