Greek life is a prominent part of Bradley University’s campus, containing 14 fraternities and seven sororities. While most think Greek life is only fun and games, each chapter has one or multiple philanthropies they give back to. One specific sorority, has five.
Sigma Kappa is currently having its “Week of Giving.” “The Week of Giving is Sigma Kappa’s nation-wide philanthropy week and it occurs during the week of November 9th which is our founders day. What’s great about it is every chapter of Sigma Kappa participates at the same time.” Jessica Antonacci, the Vice President of Philanthropic Service at Sigma Kappa said.
During this week, the sorority finds ways to give back to their five philanthropies: the Sigma Kappa foundation, Inherit the Earth, Gerontology, Maine Seacoast Mission, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
“The Week of Giving is meant to celebrate our sisterhood and our value of service. Our philanthropy week is different than others because rather than raising money, we raise awareness about our philanthropies. The goal of this Week of Giving is to give back to the community we are in,” Antonacci explained.
Different activities are completed each day. On Monday, some of the members brought boxes to other sororities and fraternities on campus to be filled for the Maine Seacoast Mission, which is a non-profit that is dedicated to helping Down-east Maine Communities, bringing isolated communities together.
Tuesday, some more members delivered cookies to their professors as thank-yous. The sorority recognizes that professors don’t always get the admiration they deserve, and knew the perfect way to bring attention to who they noticed was doing a great job.
Wednesday, some members prepared for Thursdays activity by writing notes saying “Kiss Away Alzheimer’s.” These little slips of paper are then attached to Hershey kisses.
Thursday, those Hershey kisses are going to be given away at Bradley’s Student Center. Students do not have to pay for the kisses, as awareness of Alzheimer’s is all the sorority asks for.
The last day of Sigma Kappa’s Week of Giving consists of picking up the boxes given out to the sororities and fraternities at the beginning of the week, hoping they are now filled, and cleaning up a highway the sorority adopted.
Every single member in their chapter is involved in the Week of Giving. Antonacci said sometimes it can be difficult to get everybody to participate because many of the members have busy schedules, but she makes the events exciting and different to make for a better atmosphere.
While a majority of the other sororities on campus are only required to have ten or less service hours per semester, Sigma Kappa holds itself to a minimum of 12 and a half hours of service per semester.
While the Week of Giving is only a week long, the sorority holds a strong value of service. Savina Fischer, a senior Sigma Kappa told me, “It [Week of Giving] is important to me because it is a chance to represent my sorority and do good for others. Giving back in the community with my sisters builds unity and teamwork as we work together to better ourselves and the community around us.”
Thursday, November 7th, from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Student Center, you can pick up Hershey kisses to remember those who have been affected by Alzheimer’s.