K-STATE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES OFFER COMMUNITY SERVICE IN A “B.I.G.” WAY

Over 190 hours of community service calculated by K-State Greeks in one day.

MANHATTAN -- The Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils at Kansas State University hosted their annual day of community service after a year off and set an impressive record this past Saturday, October 20. The B.I.G. event, which stands for Bring In the Greeks, brought over 90 fraternity and sorority members into Manhattan neighboring cities to help with everything from gardening to furniture making. All totaled, Greek students clocked over 190 hours of community service in one day.

“In Chapman, our volunteers worked with the local school district respond to the aftermath of the Tornado. In Wamego, our volunteers helped the Valley Vista Good Samaritan with lawn work. Beds were put together for soon to be returning soldiers by our volunteers at Fort Riley. At the Manhattan Community Gardens, our volunteers helped to winterize the gardens,” said Darcey Ball, event planner and member of the Panhellenic Council Board of Directors. “I was impressed with the turn out. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.”

“Everyone who was there volunteering, really wanted to be there. We were able roll up our sleeves, stand beside our neighbors, and accomplish an impressive amount of work,” said Kellen Begnoche, event planner and member of the Interfraternity Council Board of Directors, adding “and we did it all in one day.”

Plans will soon be underway for next year’s B.I.G event. But until then, you can count on fraternity and sorority members serving in their own way. “Fraternity and sorority members are called to service by their membership. Community service is not a one day a year activity, it’s a year-round activity. B.I.G. provides and opportunity for us the have a big impact, but each and every day our members take advantage of an opportunity and desire to serve our communities. It’s just want we’re all about,” Ball said.

Kansas State Greek Affairs is a body made up of 24 fraternities and 12 sororities and boasts a membership of approximately 3,200 K-State student. Both the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils are annually recognized by the Mid-American Greek Council Association as one of the top fraternity and sorority councils in the 29-state mid-America region for performance in areas which include recruitment, risk reduction, membership education, academic achievement, community management, and civic engagement.

###

For more information about this topic please visit www.ksu.edu/greek or to schedule an interview contact the Greek Affairs Staff at (785) 532-5516.