Being Greek comes with a lot of benefits, but also a lot of flack. There are tons of headlines all over the internet about Greeks partying, getting shut down, and wreaking havoc. But more than that, we’re all out here doing a lot of good. Here are some of the most impressive Greeks in the country this week and their stories.
Kappa Kappa Gamma at Loyola Chicago
When junior Jordan Phillips was hospitalized for “a relatively unknown illness” in early January that has kept her in the ICU, her Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters knew exactly what to do to help out their sister. They started a GoFundMe to help cover her medical expenses and rent while she was in the hospital.
In addition to the GoFundMe page, the sisters are working on getting the community involved in helping to support Jordan, a member of their executive board, and her family. They hosted benefits at Loyola’s student-run Felice’s Kitchen on 2/24 and Bulldog Ale House on 2/25 to benefit Jordan, who is an early education major who hopes to become a teacher.
Mary Ennis, one of Jordan’s sisters told The Loyola Phoenix:
Hearing Jordan talk about things she is so passionate and bubbly about makes … everyone in the chapter feel comfortable talking about their unique interests. Jordan just loves to show that she cares about everything, and so it just spreads a general positive vibe through the chapter where everyone wants to talk about what they care about and get involved.
A recent update indicates that Jordan may be on the road to recovery, with her GoFundMe page:
Jordan’s is still progressing in her recovery. She is pretty much awake all day. She has been off the respirator for more than 24 hours breathing on her own. That is fantastic and getting stronger each day. The speech therapy and ENT doctor will be coming around today because they will put a cap on the tracheostomy to assist her with talking. Right now, we are trying to read her lips (not always so successful). Because she is more awake now, she is more aware of her surroundings and is asking many questions as to what happened to her and how long she has been sick. It has been very emotional for her and she tends to get quite sad and has a bit of anxiety. She is worried about her school and her KAPPA duties and I have reassured her that everything will be fine. I am told that this anxiety is normal and the more I think about it, we have had 46 days to process what has happened to her and it is hitting her all at once. As early as next week, we may be transitioning her to a Rehab facility to continue her recovery. The doctors are still assessing everything and they of course will make the decisions when she is ready. She will continue to work with physical therapy at Rush until she is ready to go to the rehab center. She is making great progress.
Isn’t it just like a sorority girl to be worrying about her chapter? Don’t worry Jordan, your sisters got you.
[via Loyola Phoenix]
Tau Kappa Epsilon at Boise State University
Hey! I’m a Tri Delta at Boise State University and our chapter of TKE did some pretty cool stuff. This wasn’t this week, but it is still beyond amazing.
One of the TKE brothers has a sister that had stage 4 cancer, and so the entire chapter devoted their TKE week to her and all of the money they raised. They raised over $12,500 in ONE WEEK! Every dollar was sent to her family. (Their TKE weeks are usually benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.)
Unfortunately, his sister passed away the day after the week ended. Boise State’s entire Greek system rallied around their chapter and actually, Boise State’s Relay for Life event is coming up next month and Tri Delta and TKE have dedicated that event to her too, with sweatshirts with her name on it and everything.
I did some creeping, and I found this great group of guys on Twitter and you can donate to their Relay for Life event here.
Theta Chi Omega at St. Gregory’s University
Now, I must admit that I’ve never heard of Theta Chi Omega OR St. Gregory’s University, but one of the points of this weekly series is to bring us the sorority news we may not otherwise hear, so I am happy that I know about them now.
According to their website, “Theta Chi Omega is a multicultural, social, and service sorority,” and members from their chapter at St. Gregory’s Shawnee, OK, recently spent a day being “guest chefs” at the Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City. The women prepared a meal for guests at the house, which serves as a “home-away-from-home” for families who travel for treatment for their seriously ill or injured children.
According to chapter member Faith Creighton, it was an awesome experience:
Not only did I have fun with my sorority sisters but I really enjoyed talking with the people that we served food to. We met a little boy who had vision problems, but was energetic and wanted to show us all his dance moves. I’m blessed to have had a chance to work with the Ronald McDonald House and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Nice job, ladies.
[via St. Gregory’s]
Videos Of The Week
Alpha Chi Omega at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Gamma Phi Beta at La Salle University
Kappa Delta Chi at University of Texas Dallas
Have you got a story or video you think I should feature in “Greeks of The Week”? Email me!
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Jenna Crowley
Jenna used to be known as 2NOTBrokeGirls, but then one of the girls actually went broke, so she's struck out on her own. Jenna spends her free time saving the world, one sorority girl at a time (usually while wearing yoga pants), questioning why she decided to get a doctorate, and documenting her love of all things cheese related. You can ask her anything you want about football, using your boobs to get what you want, and pizza at @JennaLCrowley on Twitter or via email at [email protected].
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