USU fraternity and sorority host series of philanthropy events
Utah State University fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted a “slightly sexy” carwash Tuesday afternoon to raise money for suicide prevention.
Members of the fraternity dressed in their shorts and crop tops in 40 degree weather to wash cars for $5 each.
This event was one of many fundraising events planned for Sigma Phi Epsilon’s traditional Golden Heart Week.
“It’s essentially our service week where we pick a philanthropy and we do a bunch of events to raise money for them,” said Kaleb Cavaszos, the vice president of recruitment for Sigma Phi Epsilon. “It’s a great way for us to give back to our community, and we’re super excited.”
This year, proceeds from Golden Heart Week will go to Live On Utah, which operates under the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition.
In addition to the car wash fundraiser, Sigma Phi Epsilon also hosted a benefit morning at Herm’s Inn on Tuesday and a dam cleanup with the USU Hurd on Wednesday.
On Friday, members of the fraternity will be performing various talents for the audience in the SigEp Talent Show. The show will be held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. with a $5 admission.
Golden Heart Week will end on Saturday with a charitable volleyball tournament. Six-person teams can sign up to participate in the tournament Saturday morning for $6 per person. Ten percent of funds raised from this event will be donated to a charity of the winning team’s choice.
Coleton Richmond, the vice president of service for Sigma Phi Epsilon, was responsible for planning the events this week. He said that this week was more difficult than usual to plan due to COVID restrictions.
“Typically we do a lot more in-person stuff, and it was a little more difficult to make sure things were in line with school COVID regulations,” Richmond said. “That’s why we have things outdoors, and we have to make sure everyone is wearing masks and everything is going according to what follows the county’s guidelines.”
USU sorority Kappa Delta is also hosting a philanthropy week this week. Kappa Delta is raising money and promoting awareness for The Family Place and Prevent Child Abuse America during their traditional Shamrock Week.
Bethany Peterson, vice president of community service for Kappa Delta, said that the reason Kappa Delta raises money for these organizations is because their sorority’s goal is to promote confidence.
“We want to build confidence in the women that are a part of Kappa Delta and then everyone else that we interact with,” Peterson said. “So child abuse is something that, obviously, diminishes the confidence of these young children, and it impacts every aspect of their life. And so by raising money for them, we are in turn giving them the help so they can build their confidence.”
Kappa Delta hosted two restaurant night fundraisers earlier this week and collected monetary donations in the Hub. On Thursday, they will be having a snack drive at the North Logan Walmart and the Logan Walmart from 3-7 p.m. Throughout the week, Chugz will be donating the proceeds from four specialty drinks to Shamrock Week. Donations can also be made online.
Peterson said she loves helping the members of Kappa Delta realize that the things they do in college can have a positive impact on others.
“Being a part of a sorority’s not just a party,” Peterson said. “We go out and serve and share confidence and love with people.”
Darcy Ritchie is a second-year journalism student at Utah State from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Outside of writing for the Statesman, she loves to DJ for Aggie Radio, eat french bread in the Walmart parking lot and tweet.
—darcy.ritchie@usu.edu
@darcyrrose