LETTER: Money should go to kids, not shirts

Editor,

While on campus yesterday, I noticed several A-frames and signs advertising Sigma Chi Derby Days. After talking to one of Sigma Chi’s at a table on the patio, I learned that Derby Days consists of a friendly competition between sororities, and benefit events for the campus – with all the proceeds donated to the Children’s Miracle Network.

I was impressed with the fact that a bunch of college students seemed to be so passionate about the service project they were involved in.

However, something bothered me later that day. I noticed that a bunch of girls had on shirts that mimicked the “I love NY” shirts, by replacing them with “I love EX”. Then, walking home to Oak Ridge past the Greek houses, I noticed that one of the sorority houses had signs and posters hanging on the windows confessing their love for the Sigma Chi’s. I can only assume that the ladies wearing the shirts belonged to the house with the signs, due to the fact that none of the other Greek houses had signs in their windows.

Now, I am not a member of the Greek community, but I don’t understand how wearing shirts and making signs benefits the children at all. I mean, if people were in this sorority “competition” for the right reason, wouldn’t they take the money they would have spent on the shirts and signs, and just donate it to the charity?

Krista Hatch