Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News

Rochester Hills sophomore Genna Buffa looks over at the Delta Zeta turtle mascot atop a tower of cans during a castle building competition sponsored by the Panhellenic Council. Each team was allowed one extra item besides the cans to construct their castles. All the cans from the event will be donated to the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross. [Click to enlarge]

Westland junior Ashley R. Stone, left, and Richmond senior Sara Barr organize their cans before the castle building competition put on by the Panhellenic Council. [Click to enlarge]

Concentration, steady hands and a little creativity were the keys to Sunday's can castle building contest.

Almost 1,000 cans from the event were donated to the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross food bank. Seven sororities competed to build the most creative castle using up to 200 cans and one extra item of their choice Sunday afternoon in Finch Fieldhouse.

The contest was organized by St. Johns senior Lindsay Wyskowski and sponsored by the Panhellenic Council.

"I like this idea because it is a different sort of philanthropic activity, not just your run-of-the-mill can drive," Wyskowski said. "We do a lot of things to raise money for charities, but this was raising something you could actually see."

Wyskowski said she hopes the contest will continue in the future and get more groups involved, including fraternities and residence halls.

Can castles crashed more than once in the 45-minute time limit.

Phi Sigma Sigma won first place in the contest with "Santa's Castle," a Christmas tree-shaped sculpture. They used cans of tomato soup, green beans and a string of lights to top off their creation.

Phi Sigma Sigma also donated the most cans.

Clarkston junior Colleen Dempsey and Rochester senior Bo Parker served as the judges for the event. They said the Phi Sigma Sigma castle won for its creativity and theme.

Alpha Sigma Tau finished second for their castle, complete with a moat and anchor, and Alpha Chi Omega came in third place.

The three winning teams won money for their philanthropic causes.

"I came because it is for a really good cause, but I also thought it would be fun, and I got to hang out with my lovely AST ladies," said Elizabeth Sullivan, Commerce Township sophomore and Alpha Sigma Tau member.

Another canned food drive for the Red Cross hosted by Sears. Customers can save $5, $20 or $40 on their purchases if they donate two cans until Dec. 30, said Kevin Price, a Sears employee.

Students also can donate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Red Cross, 215 E. Broadway St.

The Red Cross is looking for canned goods and other non-perishables, and will accept processed meat, produce and milk, said Irene Little, the emergency program director for the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross.


news@cm-life.com

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