Sigma Chi Derby Days raising money for cancer institute all week

Sororities are gearing up for fraternity Sigma Chi’s 2009 Derby Days.

This year’s Derby Days started Sunday with a banner and chalking competition and will last through Friday. “Derby Days is a week-long philanthropy event,” said chairman Dan Grosskopf. “Sororities on campus are each a team, and they compete in events to raise money for charity and have fun throughout the week doing so.”

Sigma Chi seeks to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Grosskopf said previous Derby Days raised up to $5,000.

Derby Days events • All Week: Penny War/Can Food Drive: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Sigma Chi House. • Monday: Pie-A-Sig at 5 p.m. at Sigma Chi House. • Tuesday: Derby Chase from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. around campus. • Wednesday: Derby Queen Pageant at 7 p.m. at Broadway Theatre; $1 donation at the door. • Thursday: Date Auction at 7 p.m. at Shaboom Pub. • Friday: Derby Dinner at Sigma Chi House. Tickets $4; purchase from any participating sorority sister.

“In the past, we’ve raised anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000, so a realistic goal for this year is about $5,000,” he said.

All 11 social sororities are participating and Alpha Sigma Alpha president and Utica senior Melissa Tucker said her sorority is participating not only to support a good cause, but to show support to Sigma Chi as well.

“I think it’s a great way for the Greek community to pull together for a good cause and to also show the community that philanthropy is what we’re about,” Tucker said.

The Pageant

One of the highlighting events is the Derby Queen Pageant, which Grosskopf said took the most work to put together.

“Of all the events, the Derby Queen Pageant took the most amount of time and outside work in order to plan it — it should be a pretty big event,” he said.

According to Vanessa Treece, Derby Days chairwoman for last year’s winner, Sigma Kappa, members of her sorority seem to be anxious for the pageant.

“One of our junior members is participating and it help shows her that a lot of us are really supportive of her, and we can help Sigma Chi raise money at the same time,” said the Sterling Heights senior.

Grosskopf said although event participation is exclusive to sororities, anyone is welcome to attend.

“Anyone can come to events, like our Derby Dinner — anyone can purchase tickets for that,” Grosskopf said.

The winner of Derby Days will receive up to $500 to donate to their philanthropy, a trophy and a social sponsored by the members of Sigma Chi.

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