( Photo by Garrett Russell)
Fraternity and sorority members recorded a lot of overtime this week collecting and delivering donations for tornado victims and emergency workers.
“As a Greek life community combined, we were able to donate 10 large boxes full of clothes and shoes to local donation drop off centers,” Baylee Draughon, president of Kappa Delta, said. “We also delivered three car loads of food, snacks, water and various drinks to our local fire departments, police and EMS.”
Organizations and their collective efforts include:
- Phi Mu – donated $150 worth of feminine and hygiene products to Kappa Delta for their members’ families that were affected. Members waited 6 hours to donate blood on Tuesday.
- Delta Gamma organized a canned food drive and donated the items to the community center. They also created a t-shirt order where all of the proceeds will be donated to the Cookeville- Putnam County relief fund.
- Alpha Delta Pi raised over $500 in T-shirt sales, which they used to buy supplies for the community.
“We are so thankful to be able to help our community in a time of need,” Caroline Steele, president of Alpha Delta Pi, said.
- Blake Horton, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s chaplain, said the fraternity sponsored a candlelight vigil for the victims Wednesday night.
“I spent several hours with some of my fellow brothers, who were grieving over children that they knew whom had passed away,” he said. “I quickly realized that most members of the community, and Tech’s campus, may not have been directly impacted, but most likely know someone who was or someone who is in a time of mourning. We plan to allow time for prayer for the community and those who are grieving a loss.”
- Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity helped clean up debris and salvage personal items from the affected families’ homes.
“It was humbling to see our town and college community come together to help the families and businesses that needed it,” Jacob Sutton, president of Pi Kappa Alpha said. “We saw hundreds of Tech students and faculty helping the families in need, and it reassured me that this town can get through anything together.”
- Sigma Chi members helped clear roads, salvage possessions and participated in other relief efforts.
“Seeing thousands of volunteers doing whatever they could to help was moving,” Hunter Vick, Sigma Chi editor said. “The pride I have for the city of Cookeville has never been matched in the 20 plus years I have lived here,”
