EDITORIAL: Greek Week exemplifies power of community
After last week, Central Michigan University has more than 30,000 new reasons to be proud of our Greek community.
Each year, Greek Week offers most fraternities and sororities the opportunity to participate in some of the most meaningful fundraising efforts campus can offer. The week-long “competitive” campaign provides a monetary boost for one non-profit organization through a variety of campus events.
In 2012, Greek Week raised more than $11,000 for Logan MacGregor, a Mount Pleasant child battling Leukemia. In 2013, the community raised more than $22,000 for the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation.
This year’s cause, Special Olympics Michigan, is especially significant to CMU.
Our campus not only houses the headquarters for Special Olympics in Michigan, but also plays host to more than 6,000 athletes, coaches, chaperones and volunteers from 83 counties during the annual State Summer Games.
Bringing in a record-setting $30,075 in one week, our fraternities and sororities beautifully displayed the power of the community coming together to work toward a greater common goal.
Bringing in more than $6,000 a day is impressive. We offer the most sincere praise to the community who made it possible. Although many fundraising events take place on campus, few can match the magnitude of Greek Week and the importance of this year's cause.
Special Olympics Michigan provides an opportunity for athletic competition to athletes and their families at no cost. According to the SOMI website, the donations help support more than 20,000 athletes and provides awareness of the capabilities and needs of those with intellectual disabilities.
As a non-profit organization, Special Olympics Michigan is especially reliant on private donations like those provided last week. It’s the type of student support we like to see and we invite the opportunity for more.
We applaud the Greek community's campaign and encourage fraternities and sororities to continue to push their potentials to greater heights.
Greek organizations set aside their rivalries and other commitments, looked past themselves and worked together to make a difference in the lives of others.
Greek Week not only provides substantial charitable contributions to worthy organizations, but it helps to set a standard that all students can strive to live by.
