SUNY Plattsburgh Greek Organizations Perform Community Service

February 18, 2005

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ The fall semester was certainly a busy time for most fraternities and sororities at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. Together, the Greek community performed nearly 1,900 hours of community service and raised more than $1,938 for different charities.

Members of Zeta Beta Tau at the "Up 'Til Dawn" fundraising event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Sigma Tau Gamma (Sig Tau) fraternity led the way in the area of community service with a total of 505 hours. Alpha Chi Rho (AXP) contributed a total of 239 hours. For the sororities, the members of Alpha Phi contributed 393 hours, and the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon (D Phi E) gave 190 hours of their time to helping the community.

D Phi E raised the most money, $416, for its two charities -- the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity raised $310 for its charity, Children's Miracle Network.

Chelsea Donovan, D Phi E member, said she is very proud of her sorority's efforts.

"Our chapter works hard to plan events and raise money," she said. "We are always happy to give back to the community in any way we can."

Coordinator of the Center for Greek Affairs Allison Swick-Duttine believes that Greek organizations' ability to perform in the areas of community service and philanthropy is vital for their continued success.

"One of the greatest strengths of our fraternities and sororities is their commitment to college and community service," said Swick-Duttine. "Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority should ask a lot of questions about the types and frequency of service in order to make an informed decision. Specific statistical information on each group is available in the Center for Greek Affairs."

Some of the upcoming community service events planned for this spring include the second annual Greek Alternative Spring Break trip to Pursglove, West Virginia; Healthy Eating Awareness Week from April 4 to 8; and the Interfraternity Council's hosting of the Annual National Alcohol Screening in collaboration with the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6.

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