Phi Mu, one of Tech’s largest Greek organizations, will host Greek God later this month. Greek God is the title of Phi Mu’s annual spring philanthropy event. During this Kappa Pi (the local Phi Mu chapter) tradition, the ladies of Phi Mu will sell trinkets like bracelets or balloons, host a series of Greek Games, and emcee a Grecian-inspired beauty pageant populated by members of Tech’s other fraternities.All of these events, held from Feb. 21 through Feb. 24, are performed in order to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network as well as the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
“Last year we raised about $5,000,” Karla Hammac, Phi Mu member, said. “We also collected almost 80 pounds of Coke tabs. Each pound that is collected pays for a Chemo treatment at Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital.”
Phi Mu also hosts “Chili for Children” in the fall, which is a series of events and fundraisers culminating in a chili cook-off. The money raised from “Chili for Children” also goes to the Children’s Miracle Network and Vanderbilt.
“Throughout the year, we strive to do our best to raise awareness and raise money to send to Vanderbilt’s Children hospital,” Alyson Witt, Phi Mu’s philanthropic executive chair, said. “And in the end when all the hard work is over, it is rewarding to visit Vandy and see what our hard work helps accomplish.”
Phi Mu is not the only charitable sorority on campus. In fact, each of Tech’s Greek organizations host philanthropy events each semester. While there is a healthy rivalry between the various Greek organizations, the fraternities and sororities do not hesitate to help each other raise money.
“The other Greek organizations help out during Greek God, but all organizations, Greek and non-Greek, can participate if they choose,” Hammac said.
Some of the other charities that receive donations from Tech’s Greek philanthropies include The Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Teens Need Training, Big Brothers of America, the Cookeville Rescue Mission, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Lou Gehrig Foundation, the Girl Scouts of America, National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Delta Gamma Foundation, and Ronald McDonald house.
Each Greek organization can be contacted through their own pages on Tech’s website. The different philanthropy events will take place throughout the semester.