Greek Week shacks for charity

Amy Paterson / photo editor Sophomore Amanda Forth of Zeta Tau Alpha attempts to rebuild after her shack was destroyed by wind Tuesday afternoon in front of the College Center. Proceeds from the event were donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Greek Week, an annual event sponsored by Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, is being held this week in order to raise money for each organization’s philanthropy under the slogan "Everyone has their day in the sun, and for Greeks it lasts longer."

Consisting of 12 fraternities and eight sororities, IFC and Panhellenic-governed groups participated, but partaking was encouraged from all Greek-lettered organizations, said Chris Stup, assistant director of Student Organization Services.

Events were hosted each day with a point system based on competition and participation. Sunday began with the Shack-a-Thon, hosted in front of the College Center; the event lasted until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Sophomore Shannon Amonn, a member of Sigma Kappa, said the event saw most of the event’s participants show because two people were required to be inside a scrap shelter at all times.

Freshman Taylor Vaughn, a member of Alpha Phi, said the shacks couldn’t be made of anything other than duct tape, cardboard and trash bags.

"The event was meant to draw attention to the plight of the homeless; an entrance fee went toward proceeds donated to Habitat for Humanity," Vaughn said.

JMU held its first version of MTV’s "Singled Out," a dating-related game show on Monday night. On Tuesday, volleyball finals were held at the Village court. And in the College Center Ballroom Tuesday night was the Battle of the Bands. Wednesday was Commons Day, with a dunk tank and various other activities, including the Penny Wars fundraiser and a blood drive held in Transitions.

Friday’s Greek Sing is to be the culmination of the week’s events. Stup said Greek Sing is a competition where dancers and singers from each organization perform.

The week’s cumulative point totals will be compared in groups’ hopes of winning 25 percent of the total money raised for each group’s philanthropy, Stup said.

A specific fundraising committee was formed in part of the core Greek Week planning committee; proceeds from the week’s events will be donated to Camp Unali, a local summer camp for children and families affected by cancer. Benefits were raised through local business along with event entry fees and other fundraisers.

"Over the years, Greeks [have] raised tens of thousands of dollars for good causes. Greek life is a real force on this campus, and Greek Week really is about demonstrating Greek Unity," Stup said.