by Kiandra Shawnta Johnson
Staff Writer
and
Brandi E. Baumeister
Staff Writer
The Inter-Fraternity and Sorority Council (IFSC) launched its second annual Charity Greek Week benefit Monday. The activities end today with clothes drive and hopes of raising needed items for the La Verne community.
According to Amy Gagnon, Charity Greek Week co-chair, the activities are “a time for the Greek community to get together and help out the La Verne community.”
The fundraiser was designed to gather canned foods, clothes and toys for surrounding needy families, and get the University of La Verne Greek community together for fun at the same time. Also part of the goals of the event is for each Greek member to participate in the Big Brother/Sister program.
“Not all Greeks are partiers,” said Gagnon, a member of Sigma Kappa. “There’s a lot of good things that people fail to see about us.”
The events included an informal barbecue in front of the Landis Academic Center Monday night; passing out of applications for the Big Brother/Big Sister program; a toy drive yesterday, where the Greeks purchase a toy off a wish list comprised of three desired toys made by needy children; and a clothes drive today.
Clothes are being collected today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center.
“This [clothes] drive is open to everyone,” said senior Robert Cervantez.
Senior Jeremy Infranca member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity said, “It’s a good idea because it’s the time of year to give back to the less fortunate.”
Cervantez, a Phi Delta Theta member and Charity Greek Week co-chair, said, “I’d like to go out and help people, maybe give people things this Christmas they might not have had.”
All of the toys and clothes collected will be given to the LeRoy Haynes Center and the canned food will be turned over to the City of La Verne.
For every regular-sized canned food, a point is given to the Greek organization, and bigger cans received two points. Toys donated received five points and clothing received points based upon the type of clothes donated. Completed applications for the Big Brother/Sister program received 10-20 points. As of Thursday afternoon, two applications were turned in.
Junior Veronica Rodriguez, a member of Sigma Kappa, said, “I think that it’s great that all the organizations are getting together for a good cause.”
“It shows another side of us,”said Gagnon. “It’s what the public really needs to see.”
“I’d like to see a week long event that isn’t too competitive. That’ll ease animosity,” said Cervantez.
The event is scheduled to raise food for 150 people and donate a toy to every kid from the LeRoy Haynes Center.
“It may not be much coming from a small school, but it is something,” said Cervantez. “This is a long goal to reach.”
If individuals miss the deadline today, toys can be taken to the LeRoy Haynes Center for Children and Family Services on Baseline and Williams in La Verne before Dec. 13.
“There is a list of 140 children at the Student Center desk,” said Gagnon.
“I would encourage anyone to donate a gift to these needy children,” said Cervantez.
Kiandra Shawnta Johnson
Brandi E. Baumeister
